Cathepsin G

Cathepsin G (, chymotrypsin-like proteinase, neutral proteinase) is an enzymatic protein belonging to the peptidase or protease families. In humans, it is coded by the CTSG is_associated_with::gene.

The protein encoded by this is_associated_with::gene, a member of the is_associated_with::peptidase S1 protein family, is found in azurophil granules of neutrophilic polymorphonuclear is_associated_with::leukocytes. The encoded protease has a specificity similar to that of is_associated_with::chymotrypsin C, but it is most closely related to other immune serine proteases, such as is_associated_with::neutrophil elastase and the is_associated_with::granzymes. Cathepsin G may participate in the killing and digestion of engulfed pathogens, and in is_associated_with::connective tissue remodeling at sites of is_associated_with::inflammation. It also localizes to is_associated_with::Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), via its high affinity for DNA, an unusual property for serine proteases. Transcript variants utilizing alternative polyadenylation signals exist for this gene.

Clinical significance
An upregulation of cathepsin G was reported in studies of is_associated_with::keratoconus.