CTSD

Identifiers
EC number	3.4.23.5
CAS number	9001-01-8
Alt. names
IntEnz	IntEnz view
BRENDA	BRENDA entry
ExPASy	NiceZyme view
KEGG	KEGG entry
MetaCyc	metabolic pathway

Cathepsin D is a lysosomal aspartic protease that is important in the degradation of proteins. It is encoded by the CTSD gene in humans.

Function

Cathepsin D is involved in the proteolytic processing of proteins within the lysosome. It plays a role in the breakdown of intracellular and extracellular proteins, which is crucial for cellular homeostasis.

Clinical significance

Mutations in the CTSD gene can lead to a variety of diseases. For example, deficiency of cathepsin D is associated with neurodegenerative disorders such as neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis.

Cathepsin D is also implicated in cancer progression. It is often overexpressed in breast cancer and is thought to contribute to tumor invasion and metastasis.

Structure

Cathepsin D is synthesized as an inactive zymogen and is activated in the acidic environment of the lysosome. It consists of a single polypeptide chain that is cleaved into two chains, which form the active enzyme.

See also

• Protease
• Lysosome
• Aspartic protease

External links

• CTSD on WikiMD
• CTSD gene information at NCBI