Invitrogen™ TSP50 Polyclonal Antibody

Testes-specific protease 50 (TSP50) is a gene located within the chromosome region 3p21.31, primarily expressed in testicular tissue, and is homologous to serine proteases. However, TSP50 contains a distinctive catalytic triad where serine, a crucial catalytic residue, is replaced by threonine, allowing it to exhibit a novel protease activity. TSP50 is recognized for its role as a pro-oncogene, contributing significantly to cancer progression by promoting aerobic glycolysis, known as the Warburg effect, in hepatocellular carcinoma cells through interaction with pyruvate kinase M2 isoform (PKM2). This function underlines its involvement in cancer metabolism, as it attenuates colitis by regulating TGF-β signaling pathways. Furthermore, studies have linked TSP50 to cancer stem cell maintenance, driving stem-like properties in breast cancer cells, thereby facilitating tumor initiation and self-renewal capabilities. These characteristics highlight TSP50's potential as a target in therapeutic interventions for cancer treatment.