CATHEPSIN-B

Cathepsin B is a lysosomal cysteine protease of the papain family, It functions in intracellular protein catabolism and in certain situation s may also be involved in other physiological processes, such as proce ssing of antigens in the immune response, hormone activation and bone turnover, There is also evidence that cathepsin B is implicated in the pathology of chronic inflammatory diseases of airways and joints, and in cancer and pancreatitis, In this short review we outline the major structural features of the enzyme, and describe how these relate to i ts synthesis, trafficking, processing and function, (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.