cathepsin K
Collagen-cleaving protease
Cathepsin K is an enzyme that breaks down proteins, particularly collagen in bone tissue.
It plays a central role in bone resorption—the process by which osteoclasts dissolve bone material.
The enzyme is a target for osteoporosis drugs, since inhibiting it can slow bone loss.
Cathepsin K also appears in other tissues where collagen degradation occurs.
- boneHard skeletal tissue
- resorptionBody reclaiming its tissue
- proteaseProtein-cleaving enzyme
- collagenStructural body protein
- degradationDecline in condition
lysosome · osteoporosis · cysteine · enzyme · marrow · skeletal · breakdown · calcium · matrix · inhibitor · cartilage · arthritis · erosion · acid · cleave · substrate · remodeling · ivory
- Lysosomal Enzymesbeta-galactosidase, alpha-glucosidase
- Proteasesprotease, trypsin, papain, collagenase, bromelain
- Bone Proteinscollagen