PRSS21

PRSS21, or serine protease 21 (common alias: testisin), is a GPI-anchored serine protease primarily expressed in testicular germ cells. It catalyzes the cleavage of extracellular matrix (ECM) components like fibronectin and laminin, regulating cell adhesion and migration, and contributes to spermatogenesis and tissue remodeling under normal conditions.
Aberrant PRSS21 expression is linked to ovarian, prostate, and breast cancers, where it drives tumor invasion and metastasis via ECM degradation. While no targeted drugs are approved, preclinical studies have explored serine protease inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies against PRSS21 as potential anti-metastatic therapies, underscoring its value as a cancer therapeutic target.