Matriptase

Function

Matriptase or suppressor of tumorigenicity 14 protein (ST14) is an epithelial-derived, membrane multi-domain serine protease. ST14 cleaves and activates hepatocyte frowth factor/scatter factor and urokinase plasminogen. Benzamidine is an inhibitor of ST14. ST14 catalytic domain contains residues 615-855.

Disease

Relevance

ST14 is a target for anti-cancer therapy.

Structural highlights

ST14 active site has the conformation of a typical serine protease like trypsin or chymotrypsin with the Ser-His-Asp catalytic triad and Gly-Ser oxyanion hole. The inhibitor benzamidine blocks the cataytic triad^[1].