Luciano Puzer
Luciano Puzer
DEVELOPMENT OF INHIBITORS FOR HUMAN TISSUE KALLIKREINS 5 AND 7 (KLK5 AND KLK7)
Human kallikreins 5 (KLK5) and 7 (KLK7) are members of the human tissue kallikreins, comprising 15 kallikrein-like serine peptidases (KLKs). KLK5 is found in many tissues, including breast, central nervous system, prostate, testis and trachea; and KLK7 was reported to be present at esophagus, kidney, liver and salivary gland. Moreover, both enzymes appear to be most abundantly expressed in human skin, where an important role in the skin desquamation process has been reported. In the extracellular space of the skin, KLK5 and KLK7 are believed to contribute to desquamation by hydrolyzing proteins composing intercellular adhesion structures called corneodesmosomes. Thus, the development of inhibitor for KLK5 and KLK7 can contribute not only to elucidate their physiological and pathological mechanisms but also as an archetype of new drugs. In our lab we are striving in the search for new inhibitors of KLK5 and KLK7 based on small synthetic molecules as peptidomimetic compounds and also based on proteins as bacterial serpins.
