Background
- The KLK2 gene is an androgen related gene, which encodes human kallikrein (hK2), a member of the kallikrein-related peptidases family.
- The KLK2 gene is located on chromosome 19q13.4, in close proximity to other kallikrein genes, including KLK3, which encodes prostate-specific antigen (PSA).
- The KLK2 protein shares 80% amino acid homology with PSA, suggesting a common evolutionary origin and potentially coordinated regulation of these proteases.
- KLK2 is overexpressed in prostate cancer tissue compared to benign prostate tissue and has been associated with stage and grade.
- It exits in both secreted and membrane-associated forms, with the latter being a potential therapeutic target for prostate cancer, which has been demonstrated in preclinical and early clinical studies.
- These findings collectively underscore the need to better characterize the molecular profile of high and low KLK2 expressing tumors to establish its value as a prognostic and potentially predictive marker.