Kallikrein 8 (KLK8)

Originally described from mouse brain, KLK8 was implicated in neural plasticity and learning. Kallikrein 8 is thought to be involved in neurite outgrowth and fasciculation during nervous system development. Kallikrein 8 is induced in neurite injury, and Kallikrein 8 has been shown to be elevated in the hippocampus on Alzheimer’s patients.

Kallikrein 8 is thought to regulate the early phase of long-term potentiation (LTP), possibly by cleaving fibronectin and other substrates.Kallikrein 8 is also found in the uterus, where it is hormonally regulated. Cervical cancer cell lines express high levels of Kallikrein 8, and it may be useful as a tumor marker. Kallikrein 8 is not limited to the brain and uterus, as many tissues and cell lines make the protein.