Prof Dieter Brömme Cathepsins and Osteoarthritis and Osteoporosis and Others

 

 

 

 

 

Speaker:	Prof Dieter Brömme Canada Research Chair in Proteases and Diseases, University of British Columbia, Faculty of Dentistry, Vancouver, Canada
Venue:	CHANGED to L3.2
Date:	Friday 4th September 2015
Time:	12.00 – 1.00pm

 

Prof Dieter Brömme will present:

 

‘Extracellular Matrix Degradation by Cathepsins’

 

Abstract:

Extracellular matrix degradation is thought to be catalyzed by matrix metalloproteases as they are active at neutral pH, secreted or localized at plasma membranes, and efficient in degrading matrix proteins. However, recent research has revealed that lysosomal acidic cysteine proteases such as cathepsins are critical for bulk matrix protein turnover and that they significantly contribute to various extracellular matrix related pathologies such as osteoporosis, arthritis, atherosclerosis, destructive lung diseases, cancer and skin disorders. Cysteine proteases such as cathepsins K, S, and V represent arguably the most potent mammalian collagenases and/or elastases. The presentation will provide structural explanations for their matrix protein-degrading activities, discuss the role of these enzymes in bone and vascular diseases, and characterize them as effective therapeutic targets.  A novel approach of selectively inhibiting the collagenase and elastase activity of cathepsins without interfering with other activities will be discussed using cathepsin K as an example.

 

Chair:  Prof Drew Rowan

 

Please let Drew Rowan (drew.rowan@ncl.ac.uk) know if you would like to speak to Dieter in the afternoon after the talk.