Anti-Cathepsin / L-V-K-H, clone AACD-3

Antibody in PBS with 0.02% sodium azide, 50% glycerol and 0.4-0.5mg/ml BSA. Cathepsins are proteases (enzymes that degrade proteins) found in all animals as well as other organisms. There are approximately a dozen members of this family, which are distinguished by their structure, catalytic mechanism, and which proteins they cleave. Most of the members become activated at the low pH found in lysosomes. Thus, the activity of this family lies almost entirely within those organelles. There are, however, exceptions such as cathepsin K, which works extracellularly after secretion by osteoclasts in bone resorption. Cathepsins have a vital role in mammalian cellular turnover. [Wiki] Protein function: Thiol protease important for the overall degradation of proteins in lysosomes (Probable). Plays a critical for normal cellular functions such as general protein turnover, antigen processing and bone remodeling. Involved in the solubilization of cross-linked TG/thyroglobulin and in the subsequent release of thyroid hormone thyroxine (T4) by limited proteolysis of TG/thyroglobulin in the thyroid follicle lumen. In neuroendocrine chromaffin cells secretory vesicles, catalyzes the prohormone proenkephalin processing to the active enkephalin peptide neurotransmitter. In thymus, regulates CD4(+) T cell positive selection by generating the major histocompatibility complex class II (MHCII) bound peptide ligands presented by cortical thymic epithelial cells. Also mediates invariant chain processing in cortical thymic epithelial cells. Major elastin-degrading enzyme at neutral pH. Accumulates as a mature and active enzyme in the extracellular space of antigen presenting cells (APCs) to regulate degradation of the extracellular matrix in the course of inflammation. Secreted form generates endostatin from COL18A1 (PubMed:10716919). Critical for cardiac morphology and function. Plays an important role in hair follicle morphogenesis and cycling, as well as epidermal differentiation. Required for maximal stimulation of steroidogenesis by TIMP1. [The UniProt Consortium]