Kallikrein-kinin pathway

Colman R. Contact activation (kallikrein-kinin) pathway multiple physiologic and pathophysiologic activities. Philadelphia Lippincott WilUams Wilkins 2006. 

The kallikrein-kinin system is an enzymatic pathway giving rise to two predominant vasoactive peptides, kallidin and bradykinin. Kallikrein, the enzyme responsible for the formation of these peptides, exists in plasma and tissues. However, circulating levels of the end products, kalhdin and bradykinin, are quite low because the kalhkrein enzymes are present largely in inactive forms. In addition, the short half-life of these peptides (15 seconds) also contributes to low plasma levels. In general, the kinins produce relaxation of vascular smooth muscle and vasodilation. Bradykinin causes... 

A. R, Joseph, K and Silverberg, M., Pathways for bradykinin formation and inflammatory diseases, J. Allergy Clin. Immunol. 109,195-209,2002 Shariat-Madar, Z., Mahdi, F, and Schmaier, A.H., Assembly and activation of the plasma kallikrein/kinin system a new interpretation, Int. Immunop-harmacol. 2, 1841-1849, 2002 Langbein, L. and Schweizer, J., Keratins of the human hair follicle, Int. Rev. Cytol. 243, 1-78, 2005 Gusterson,... 

Direct pDNA transfer technique had been used to examine the role of a physiologically related protein transduction signal pathway toward certain endogenous disease phenotype, such as investigating the function of the tissue kallikrein-kinin system (KKS) in the central control of blood pressure homeostasis... 

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