KLK4

Kallikreins are a subgroup of serine proteases having diverse physiological functions. Growing evidence suggests that many kallikreins are implicated in carcinogenesis and some have potential as novel cancer and other disease biomarkers. This gene is one of the fifteen kallikrein subfamily members located in a cluster on chromosome 19. In some tissues its expression is hormonally regulated. The expression pattern of a similar mouse protein in murine developing teeth supports a role for the protein in the degradation of enamel proteins. Alternate splice variants for this gene have been described, but their biological validity has not been determined. [provided by RefSeq]

Full Name

kallikrein-related peptidase 4

Function

Has a major role in enamel formation (PubMed:15235027).
Required during the maturation stage of tooth development for clearance of enamel proteins and normal structural patterning of the crystalline matrix (By similarity).

Biological Process

AmelogenesisManual Assertion Based On ExperimentIMP:UniProtKB
Biomineral tissue developmentIEA:UniProtKB-KW
Extracellular matrix disassemblyManual Assertion Based On ExperimentIBA:GO_Central
Proteolysis1 PublicationNAS:UniProtKB

Cellular Location

Secreted

Involvement in disease

Amelogenesis imperfecta, hypomaturation type, 2A1 (AI2A1):
A defect of enamel formation. The disorder involves both primary and secondary dentitions. The teeth have a shiny agar jelly appearance and the enamel is softer than normal. Brown pigment is present in middle layers of enamel.

PTM

N-glycosylated. The N-glycan structures are of complex diantennary or triantennary type, which may be further modified with up to 2 sialic acid residues.