Anti-Procathepsin K

Human cathepsin K is a member of the cysteine protease family. It has been shown that cathepsin K plays a major role in the resorption of the bone matrix by osteoclasts. Cathepsin K has potential as a drug target for the diseases related to bone matrix metabolism. Autoproteolytic processing of the N-terminal 99 aa propeptide produces the active, mature form of cathepsin K. It is presumed that the activation of procathepsin K in vivo occurs in the bone resorption pit, which has a low-pH environment Humans lacking cathepsin K exhibit pycnodysostosis, which is characterized by short stature and osteosclerosis. Factors that directly modulate osteoclastic bone resorption, including cytokines (RANK ligand, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interferon gamma), hormones (retinoic acid and estrogen) and nuclear transcriptional factors (c-jun and Mitf) also regulate cathepsin K gene expression. Cathepsin K is an attractive target for therapeutic intervention to prevent and ameliorate the significant deleterious impact of osteoporosis. In the cartilage, cathepsin K has a potent aggrecan-degrading activity and cathepsin Kgenerated aggrecan cleavage products specifically potentiate the collagenolytic activity of cathepsin K toward type I and II collagens. The osteoclast is not the only cell type expressing cathepsin K: It was found in epithelloid cells and multinucleated giant cells irrespective of the pathological condition and anatomical location, but not in normal resident macrophages. Applications: Suitable for use in Immunohistochemistry and Western Blot. Other applications have not been tested. Recommended Dilutions: Optimal dilutions to be determined by the researcher. Storage and Stability: Lyophilized powder may be stored at -20°C. Stable for 12 months at -20°C. Reconstitute with sterile ddH2O. Aliquot to avoid repeated freezing and thawing. Store at -20°C. Reconstituted product is stable for 12 months at -20°C. For maximum recovery of product, centrifuge the original vial after thawing and prior to removing the cap. Further dilutions can be made in assay buffer.