Cathepsin G

Cathepsin G is a member of the hematopoietic serine proteinase super family along with elastase and proteinase 3. Cathepsin G, a 225 amino acid residue protein with an 18 residue signal peptide and a 2 residue activation peptide at the N-terminus, is a ubiquitous enzyme secreted by neutrophils. These serine proteases are mainly stored in the azurophilic granules and are activated by dipeptidyl peptidase 1 during neutrophil activation. Independent of its proteinase activity, cathepsin G is a significant broad spectrum anti-microbial agent.

There is published data that ANCA associated antibodies against cathepsin G are found in ulcerative colitis and crohn’s disease. It is thought to have a stronger association with ulcerative colitis activity than either primary sclerosing cholangitis or crohn’s disease. Cathepsin G is also present in some vasculitic diseases but is not as specific or as prevalent a marker as MPO and PR3.

 

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