Molecular characterisation of the tumor proteinase cathepsin O
Abstract
Metastasis, the spread of cancer cells from a primary tumour to more distant sites in the body represents a major problem in current cancer therapies. Malignant cancer cells have the ability to break through extracellular matrix barriers, invade into the adjacent tissue and ultimately enter the circulation. This project aims to explore the molecular mechanisms that permit tumour cells to form metastases, focussing on the role of proteolytic enzymes (proteinases) in this process. To protect the body from unwanted proteolysis, proteinases are frequently synthesized as latent precursors. The activation of these precursors through proteolytic maturation is a tightly regulated cellular process. A better understanding of this maturation process is a prerequisite for the development of tumour therapy strategies based on prevention of the activation of matrix-degrading proteinases. This project aims at the characterisation of the proteinase cathepsin O, an enzyme associated with breast cancer. The main aims are the biochemical characterisation of cathepsin O as well as of the steps involved in the activation of this enzyme. The results obtained in this project will assist in the design of novel approaches to treat cancer patients.
keywords invasion matrix degradation metastasis proteinase
Publikationen
Project staff
Lukas Mach
Univ.Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.nat.techn. Lukas Mach
lukas.mach@boku.ac.at
Tel: +43 1 47654-94065, 94360
Project Leader
01.01.2005 - 31.12.2005