Main description:

Convertases are widely expressed activating enzymes involved in various physiological and pathological processes. This book provides detailed and updated information on the role of these molecules in cancer. It is the first to summarize current knowledge of the importance of protein precursors maturation by the convertases in tumor progression, angiogenesis and metastasis. Each chapter discusses the importance of the convertases in the activation of various cancer-related molecules including growth factors, adhesion molecules and proteases.

Contents:

Preface.- Introduction.- List of Contributors.- 1. Discovery of the proprotein convertases and their inhibitors.- 2. Signalling pathways leading to furin expression in cancer.- 3. Pace4 gene expression in human ovarian cancer.- 4. Proprotein convertases in tumorigenesis, angiogenesis and metastasis.- 5. Proprotein convertases, Metalloproteases and tumor cell invasion.- 6. Modulation of integrin function by endoproteolytic processing: Role in tumor progression.- 7. Growth factors: to cleave or not to cleave.- 8. Evaluation of anti-proprotein convertase activity of diterpene andrographolid derived products.