CATHEPSIN D Meaning and
Definition
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Cathepsin D is a protease enzyme belonging to the family of cysteine proteases that plays a crucial role in intracellular protein degradation. It is predominantly found within the lysosomes, which are cellular compartments responsible for breaking down and recycling various biomolecules. Cathepsin D is involved in the process of autophagy, wherein damaged or unnecessary cellular components are degraded for proper recycling.
As a protease, Cathepsin D functions by cleaving peptide bonds within proteins, thereby facilitating their breakdown into smaller peptides or amino acids. This enzyme exhibits specificity for substrates rich in acidic amino acids, particularly aspartic acid, from which it derives its name. It is synthesized as an inactive precursor, known as a zymogen, and undergoes proteolytic cleavage to become activated.
Cathepsin D is involved in various physiological processes, including protein turnover, antigen presentation, tissue remodeling, apoptosis, and cellular differentiation. Dysregulation of this enzyme has been implicated in several pathological conditions, such as neurodegenerative diseases, cancer metastasis, and cardiovascular disorders.
In the field of medicine, Cathepsin D has gained significant attention as a potential therapeutic target for drug development. Inhibitors of this enzyme may be utilized to modulate its activity in order to treat certain diseases or to enhance the efficacy of existing therapies. Further research on the structure, function, and regulation of Cathepsin D continues to advance our understanding of its role in cellular physiology and pathogenesis.
Common Misspellings for CATHEPSIN D
- cathepsin d
- xathepsin d
- vathepsin d
- fathepsin d
- dathepsin d
- czthepsin d
- csthepsin d
- cwthepsin d
- cqthepsin d
- carhepsin d
- cafhepsin d
- caghepsin d
- cayhepsin d
- ca6hepsin d
- ca5hepsin d
- catgepsin d
- catbepsin d
- catnepsin d
- catjepsin d
- catuepsin d
Etymology of CATHEPSIN D
The word "Cathepsin D" is derived from the combination of the term "cathepsin" and the letter "D".
The term "cathepsin" originates from the Greek word "kathēpsein", which means "to digest from within". It was coined by combining "kata" meaning "down" or "through" and "hepsein" meaning "to boil" or "digest". "Cathepsin" is a general term used for enzymes involved in the process of intracellular protein degradation within cells.
The letter "D" in "Cathepsin D" represents a specific subtype or variant of the cathepsin enzyme. Cathepsin D is a particular type of protease enzyme found in lysosomes, which are membrane-bound organelles within cells involved in the breakdown and recycling of different molecules.
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