Cellular expression of plasma prekallikrein in human tissues

Fink, E.; Bhoola, KD; Snyman, C; Neth, P; Figueroa, CD

Abstract

Plasma prekallikrein (PPK) is synthesised in hepatocytes and secreted into the blood, where it participates in the surface-dependent activation of blood coagulation, fibrinolysis, kinin generation and inflammation. Recently we demonstrated by quantitative RT-PCR that the human PPK gene is transcribed not only in the liver, but also in various non-hepatic human tissues at significant levels. However, up to now no reliable information is available concerning protein synthesis in the corresponding human tissues. Here we demonstrate by immunohistochemical studies that PPK or plasma kallikrein (PK) is localised in cells of different embryologically derived human tissues. In the human nephron, single cells of the distal tubules stained intensely, while the cytoplasm of cells forming proximal tubules and collecting ducts stained uniformly. PPK/PK was localised in hepatic epithelial cells of the liver, in cells of the pancreatic islet of Langerhans, in the interstitial Leydig cells of the testes, in the follicular and thecal granulosa cells of the ovary, and in the parotid gland, oesophagus, skin, respiratory tract, prostate and breast. We conclude that the cellular localisation of PPK/PK in multiple different progenitor-derived cells indicates specific cellular functions of this enzyme, in addition to its known function in the blood. ©2007 by Walter de Gruyter.

Más información

Título según WOS: Cellular expression of plasma prekallikrein in human tissues
Título según SCOPUS: Cellular expression of plasma prekallikrein in human tissues
Título de la Revista: BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
Volumen: 388
Número: 9
Editorial: WALTER DE GRUYTER GMBH
Fecha de publicación: 2007
Página de inicio: 957
Página final: 963
Idioma: English
URL: http://www.degruyter.com/view/j/bchm.2007.388.issue-9/bc.2007.104/bc.2007.104.xml
DOI:

10.1515/BC.2007.104

Notas: ISI, SCOPUS