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Cathepsin D Activity in Human Ovarian Tissues and Ovarian Carcinoma

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The Journal of the Society for Gynecologic Investigation: JSGI Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objective

This study determined levels of cathepsin D activity in tissue components of normal human ovary to establish a basis for comparison with human ovarian adenocarcinomas.

Methods

Cathepsin D activity per mg tissue, per μg protein, and per μg DNA was determined in human ovarian tissues (cortex, follicle, corpus luteum, corpus albicans) from patients of various ages and during the menstrual cycle. Levels of cathepsin D activity were also determined in ovarian adenocarcinomas and other pathologic tissues.

Results

Cathepsin D levels (per mg tissue) were significantly greater (P <.001) in ovarian follicle and corpus luteum compared with cortex. Although there was not a clear correlation between enzyme activity in the cortex and day of the menstrual cycle or patient age, levels of enzyme activity appeared to decrease with each paramtter. Cathepsin D levels per mg tissue in ovarian adenocarcinoma were 40% higher than in postmenopausal ovarian cortex, but the difference was not statistically significant.

Conclusion

The diversity of cathepsin D levels in normal ovarian tissue compartments indicates that specific tissues must be used in comparisons with ovarian tumors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obttetrics and Gynecology, St. Rita’s Medical Center, Lima, OH, 45801, USA

    Dalibor I. Hradek MD, Bruce Kessel MD, Nader Husseinzadeh MD & Bruce C. Mollton PhD

  2. Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility and the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obttetrics and Gynecology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

    Dalibor I. Hradek MD, Bruce Kessel MD, Nader Husseinzadeh MD & Bruce C. Mollton PhD

Authors
  1. Dalibor I. Hradek MD
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  2. Bruce Kessel MD
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  3. Nader Husseinzadeh MD
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  4. Bruce C. Mollton PhD
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Additional information

This research was supported by grants from the American Cancer Society Ohio Division and from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (HD-00653).

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Hradek, D.I., Kessel, B., Husseinzadeh, N. et al. Cathepsin D Activity in Human Ovarian Tissues and Ovarian Carcinoma. Reprod. Sci. 1, 173–177 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1177/107155769400100213

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/107155769400100213

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