Pepsinogen. Prolate ellipsoid or unrecognized pathogen?

Abstract

Pepsin is a potent proteolytic enzyme stored and secreted by chief cells in an inactive precursor form, pepsinogen. Its secretion is modulated by both cAMP and calcium-dependent mechanisms. Abnormalities in levels of pepsinogen and its various isozymogens have been linked clinically, epidemiologically, and experimentally to peptic ulcer disease and gastric carcinoma. The ulcerogenesis of pepsin stems from its ability to breach gastroduodenal mucosal barriers. Furthermore, certain isozymogens seems abundant and hyperactive in patients with peptic ulcer disease. The etiology and significance of low pepsinogen levels with disproportionate elevations of pepsinogen II and pepsin 5 in gastric cancer and its precursors is less clear. Further exploration of the patho-physiologic role of pepsin is likely to be of considerable importance in initiating further advances in the understanding and treatment of upper gastrointestinal disease.