10.1016/j.abb.2010.03.022
The research presents an in-depth study on the enzymatic properties and substrate specificity of human recombinant kallikrein-related peptidase 3 (KLK3), also known as prostate-specific antigen (PSA), in the presence of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and sodium citrate. The experiments involved the use of various substrates, including fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) peptides and angiotensin I, to assess the hydrolytic efficiency of KLK3. The study utilized recombinant KLK3 expressed in an insect/baculovirus system and employed techniques such as heparin–Sepharose affinity chromatography, radioimmunoassay, and spectrofluorimetry to evaluate the effects of sodium citrate and GAGs on KLK3's conformation and activity. The analyses included kinetic measurements, pH profiling, and inhibition assays with compounds like Z-Pro-Prolinal and ortho-phenantroline, providing insights into the enzyme's activation, specificity, and potential for inhibitor design.