Kallikrein

Kallikrein is a group of enzymes known as serine proteases that are found in various tissues and body fluids. They play a crucial role in the regulation of different physiological processes such as blood pressure, inflammation, and coagulation.

Function

Kallikreins are involved in the regulation of several physiological processes. They are known to regulate blood pressure by acting on the kinin-kallikrein system, where they cleave kininogen to release bradykinin. Bradykinin is a potent vasodilator that helps in lowering blood pressure.

Kallikreins also play a role in inflammation. They are involved in the activation of the complement system, which is a part of the immune system that enhances the ability of antibodies and phagocytic cells to clear microbes and damaged cells from an organism.

In addition, kallikreins are involved in the coagulation process. They activate factor XII, which is a part of the coagulation cascade that leads to the formation of a blood clot.

Types

There are two types of kallikreins: tissue kallikrein and plasma kallikrein.

Tissue kallikrein is found in various tissues including the pancreas, salivary glands, and kidneys. It is involved in the regulation of blood pressure and electrolyte balance.

Plasma kallikrein is found in the blood and is involved in the coagulation process. It is also involved in the regulation of inflammation and blood pressure.

Clinical significance

Abnormal levels of kallikrein can lead to various health conditions. High levels of kallikrein can lead to conditions such as hereditary angioedema, a rare genetic disorder that causes swelling in various parts of the body. On the other hand, low levels of kallikrein can lead to conditions such as hypertension.

Kallikrein is also used as a biomarker in the diagnosis of various cancers. High levels of kallikrein in the blood can indicate the presence of cancers such as prostate cancer and ovarian cancer.

See also

• Kinin-kallikrein system
• Bradykinin
• Hereditary angioedema
• Hypertension
• Prostate cancer
• Ovarian cancer

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