Cathepsin B Proteins and Enzymes

Cathepsin B is the first described member of the family of lysosomal cysteine proteases. Cathepsin B possesses both endopeptidase and exopeptidase activities, in the latter case acting as a peptidyl-dipeptidase. It is known to process a number of proteins, including pro and active caspases, prorenin and SLPI. Cathepsin B is synthesized as a preproenzyme. Following removal of the signal peptide, the inactive proenzyme undergoes further modifications including removal of the pro region to result in the active enzyme.