Characterization of Kallikrein cDNAs from the African Rodent Mastomys

Kallikreins comprise a family of serine proteases that are required for the processing of hormone precursors, thereby controlling many physiological processes including blood flow, ion transport, and inflammation. In rodents such as mouse, rat, and Mastomys, many kallikreins are expressed in the submandibular gland (SMG), but only a limited number, notably true tissue (glandular) kallikrein, are expressed in the kidney. We report here the …