Kallikrein-related peptidase 13 (KLK13)

Kallikrein-related peptidase 13 (KLK13) is a secreted, trypsin-like serine protease and member of the kallikrein family, encoded by the KLK13 gene on human chromosome 19. KLK13 acts in extracellular matrix degradation, tissue remodeling, and regulation of epithelial proteolytic activity, where it is tightly regulated by endogenous inhibitors such as SPINK6. Expression of KLK13 is mainly found in tissues such as testis, breast, prostate, and salivary glands, and is regulated by steroid hormones. In certain cancers, alteration in KLK13 expression correlates with disease prognosis—higher KLK13 levels are associated with favorable outcomes in breast cancer, while loss of KLK13 may serve as an early biomarker for metastasis in oral carcinomas. KLK13 also acts as a priming protease facilitating infection by human coronavirus HKU1. Its roles in physiology and pathology, together with regulation by protease inhibitors, highlight its multifaceted regulatory character in tissue homeostasis and disease.

Other names

Kallikrein-13KLKL4KLK-L4Kallikrein-like protein 4kallikrein-like gene 4kallikrein-like protein 4