Serine protease 22 (PRSS22)

Serine protease 22 (PRSS22), also known as brain-specific serine protease 4 or tryptase epsilon, is a member of the trypsin family of serine endopeptidases that is encoded by the PRSS22 gene located on chromosome 16p13.3[1][3][5]. It is developmentally regulated and highly expressed in the airway epithelium, trachea, and esophagus, with higher expression levels in fetal lung compared to adult lung[1][3]. PRSS22 is a secreted and constitutively active enzyme involved in extracellular proteolysis, with a substrate specificity distinct from related tryptases[3]. It has been found to be overexpressed in several cancer types and is implicated in the promotion of tumor progression and metastasis, in part through ERK1/2 signaling and extracellular matrix remodeling[2]. PRSS22 is emerging as a robust prognostic biomarker in colon cancer, especially for predicting recurrence post-surgery and for stratifying patients by risk[2]. Inhibition of PRSS22 enzymatic activity is being explored as a potential therapeutic strategy to prevent tumor spread[2], yet no specific drugs are currently approved that target this protease directly.

Other names

Brain-specific serine protease 4BSSP-4PRSS26SP001LATryptase epsilonprotease, serine S1 family member 22brain-specific serine protease 4proseminprotease, serine 22serine protease 26hBSSP-4

Inhibition of enzymatic serine protease activity (therapeutic hypothesis for anti-tumor approach)