Gastricsin and Cathepsin D in Normal and Hypertrophic Human Prostates

Abstract

The relative contents of gastricsinogen, the inactive zymogen precursor of gastric gastricsin (EC 3.4.23.3), and cathepsin D (EC 3.4.23.5) in normal and benign hyperplasia of the prostate gland were determined. Gastricsinogen levels are significantly lower (0.116 .+-. 0.02 U/g wet tissue) in the hyperplastic than in normal prostates (0.65 .+-. 0.06 U/g). Cathepsin D levels are higher in the diseased (0.705 .+-. 0.17 U/g) as opposed to normal prostatic tissue (0.39 .+-. 0.12 U/g). The average gastricsin-cathepsin D differences between the 2 tissues (0.26 .+-. 0.025 for normal prostates and -0.59 .+-. 0.057 SEM [standard error of the mean] for hyperplastic tissue) are also significantly different (P < 0.001). Apparently, the simple determination of these 2 acid proteinases in prostate homogenates could be used as alternative and complementary marker enzymes for the study of the physiopathologic status of the prostate gland.