Cathepsin D non-proteolytically induces proliferation and migration in human omental microvascular endothelial cell via activation of the ERK1/2 and PI3K/AKT pathways

We report, for the first time, that CathD significantly increases HOMEC proliferation and migration via a non-proteolytic mechanism resulting in activation of ERK1/2 and AKT. These data suggest that EOC cancer secreted CathD acts as an extracellular ligand and may play an important pro-angiogenic, and thus pro-metastatic, role by activating the omental microvasculature during EOC metastasis to the omentum.
Source: Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) Molecular Cell Research - Category: Molecular Biology Source Type: research