Download Centennial Honors College Western Illinois University Undergraduate Research Day 2012

Centennial Honors College
Western Illinois University
Undergraduate Research Day 2012
Poster Presentation
Studies of Recombinant Human Procathepsin D and Its Isoform
Adeola Olayiwola
Faculty Mentors: Lisa Wen and Jenq-Kuen Huang
Chemistry
Cathepsins are proteases used in intracellular peptide hydrolysis. The type of cathepsin
studied in this research is known as Cathepsin D encoded by the CTSD gene in human.
Due to its association with tumor invasion and metastasis when found outside the
lysosomes, this enzyme has been considered as a potential target for cancer therapy
and Alzheimer’s therapy. The objective of this research is to prepare active recombinant
cathepsin D which will be used in the development of new cathepsin D inhibitors. Two
main approaches are being used to try to prepare active cathepsin D. In the first
approach, recombinant procathepsin D protein was purified and various conditions were
tested to try to convert inactive procathepsin D into active cathepsin D. The conditions
included addition of cathepsin B, DTT, or ATP or in combinations. The progress of
activation was monitored by cathepsin D activity assay and SDS-PAGE. In the second
approach, a previously prepared clone encoding short pseudo cathepsin D is being
expressed. The protein is expected to undergo autoactivation under acidic condition.
We hope to produce functional cathepsin D enzyme that will permit a drug discovery
program for development of newer effective inhibitors of cathepsin D in the near future.