What is Kallikrein?
Kallikrein is an enzyme that can break down certain hormones. The resulting hormones are called kinines. The hormones are activated by this splitting.
Kallikrein splits their precursors, which are called kininogens. Through this function it is involved in various processes of the body. It occurs in different forms in the blood and in all tissues of the body.
Important functions in which Kallikrein is involved are blood coagulation and the regulation of blood pressure. Kallikrein is a so-called serine protease and, like all enzymes and proteins, is composed of amino acids. The word protease means that this enzyme can split proteins. Serine is an amino acid and is located in the active center of Kallikrein, i.e. the site of the enzyme where the reaction of cleavage takes place.
Function and effect of Kallikrein
In Kallikrein, a distinction is made between the form that can be found in the blood and the form that occurs in various tissues of the body. Kallikrein in the blood plays an important role in blood coagulation and the regulation of blood pressure. However, Kallikrein does not cause blood to clot.
Rather, it acts as one of the substances that ensures that blood clots are dissolved again. This process is very important because otherwise the blood would clot for no reason. This would be fatal, as blood clots would lead to strokes or other serious illnesses.
By activating a protein that causes blood clots to dissolve, it can perform this function. The coagulation system is a very complex system consisting of many components. Kallikrein, which is found in the blood, is activated by one of the components of the coagulation system, the so-called Hagemann factor or factor XII.
This activation is due to the fact that Factor XII, also an enzyme, from the precursor of Kallikrein, the prekallikrein, produces the active Kallikrein. This process is permanent to a small extent. The reason for this is the function of Kallikrein in blood clotting.
Kallikrein activates a substance that dissolves blood clots. This substance is called plasmin. Plasmin is an enzyme that cuts the bonds in a blood clot.
This ensures that the blood remains fluid and does not clot for no reason. The function of kallikrein in the regulation of blood pressure can be explained by the fact that kallikrein, which is found in the blood, produces kinines. These kinines, which form a group to which several hormones belong, cause dilation of the vessels and thus lower blood pressure.
However, kinines are also involved in the activation of inflammation. The form of kallikrein, which occurs in various tissues of the body, is involved in a variety of processes. Some forms ensure that the seminal fluid in the prostate is liquefied.
If this process does not take place, infertility may result. Another function of various forms of callicreine is to desquamate the skin. The skin is subject to constant regeneration and desquamation.
The skin cells are interconnected by various proteins, so-called adherence molecules. These are split by Kallikrein. This enables skin cells to be detached from the bond and desquamation to take place. Kallikrein, which is found in the tissue, also contributes in part to the complex system of blood clotting and clotting suspension.
