KLK12

Kallikrein‑related peptidase 12, also known as KLK‑L5, KLKL5, is a secreted serine protease mainly expressed in esophagus and salivary glands. It mediates proteolysis of extracellular matrix components and takes part in physiological angiogenesis.
Distinct splicing isoforms of KLK12 exhibit differential expression between benign and malignant breast lesions to support pathological differentiation, and this protein also participates in virus‑associated pathological events. Drug development for KLK12 stays at basic‑research stage. All experiments are confined to in‑vitro cell models without in‑vivo animal efficacy tests. No candidates enter clinical trials and no approved therapeutic agents exist.