Identification of novel human kallikrein-like genes on chromosome 19q13.3-q13.4

The human kallikrein gene family is localized on chromosome 19q13.3-q13.4 a nd currently includes three members:, KLK1 or pancreatic/renal kallikrein, KLK2 or human glandular kallikrein and KLK3 or prostate-specific antigen (P SA). The latter two genes are almost prostate-specific and they are wed for diagnosis and monitoring of prostate cancer and more recently, in breast c ancer applications. In this paper; we analyzed a 300Kb genomic DNA region a round chromosome 19q13.3 - q13.4 in an effort to map known kallikrein or ka llikrein-like genes and identify new kallikrein-like genes. Using the known kallikrein or kallikrein-like genes PSA, KLK2, zyme and normal epithelial cell-specific 1 gene (NES1) as landmarks, we have identified another six no vel genes of which, five have protein homologies and gene structure similar ities with other kallikreins or kallikrein-like genes. We conclude, contrar y to the current belief that the human kallikrein gene locus contains a lar ge number of kallikrein-like genes (at least thirteen). In this paper, we p resent a detailed description of the human kallikrein gene locus, encompass ing the already known and newly identified genes. These new genes, like the already known kallikreins, may have utility for diagnosis, monitoring and therapeutics of various cancers including those of the breast, prostate and testis.