Hepsin: a multifunctional transmembrane serine protease in pathobiology.

Abstract

Cell membrane-bound serine proteases are important in the maintenance of physiological homeostasis. Hepsin is a type II transmembrane serine protease highly expressed in the liver. Recent studies indicate that hepsin activates prohepatocyte growth factor in the liver to enhance Met signaling, thereby regulating glucose, lipid, and protein metabolism. In addition, hepsin functions in nonhepatic tissues, including the adipose tissue, kidney, and inner ear, to regulate adipocyte differentiation, urinary protein processing, and auditory function, respectively. In mouse models, hepsin deficiency lowers blood glucose, lipid, and protein levels, impairs uromodulin assembly in renal epithelial cells, and causes hearing loss. Elevated hepsin expression has also been found in many cancers. As a type II transmembrane protease, cell surface expression and zymogen activation are essential for hepsin activity. In this review, we discuss the current knowledge regarding hepsin biosynthesis, activation, and functions in pathobiology.

• Authors: Shuo Li, Lina Wang, Shijin Sun, Qingyu Wu
• Journal: The FEBS journal (FEBS J) Vol. 288 Issue 18 Pg. 5252-5264 (09 2021) ISSN: 1742-4658 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 33300264 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)
• Copyright: © 2020 Federation of European Biochemical Societies.

Chemical References

• Hepatocyte Growth Factor
• MET protein, human
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met
• Serine Proteases
• Serine Endopeptidases
• hepsin

Topics

• Adipose Tissue (growth & development, metabolism)
• Animals
• Cell Differentiation (genetics)
• Gene Expression Regulation (genetics)
• Hepatocyte Growth Factor (genetics)
• Homeostasis (genetics)
• Humans
• Kidney (metabolism)
• Liver (metabolism)
• Mice
• Neoplasms (genetics, pathology)
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met (genetics)
• Serine Endopeptidases (genetics)
• Serine Proteases (genetics)