Serine-type endopeptidase with a dual trypsin-like and chymotrypsin-like substrate specificity. May activate/inactivate the proteinase-activated receptors F2R, F2RL1 and F2RL3 and other kallikreins including KLK1, KLK3, KLK5 and KLK11. May function in seminal clot liquefaction through direct cleavage of the semenogelin SEMG1 and SEMG2 and activation of KLK3. May function through desmoglein DSG1 cleavage in epidermal desquamation a process by which the most superficial corneocytes are shed from the skin surface. May be involved in several aspects of tumor progression including growth, invasion and angiogenesis.
Subcellular locations: Secreted, Extracellular space
Highly expressed in CNS, bone marrow and fetal liver. Also expressed in breast, thyroid, kidney, colon, pancreas, spleen, prostate, uterus, small intestine, placenta and skeletal muscle. Among 40 tissues tested, the highest expression is detected in skin followed by breast and prostate (at protein level). Expressed in stratum corneum by sweat ducts and sweat glands and detected in sweat (at protein level).