Legumain (冬酰胺内肽酶; δ-分泌酶)

Legumain is also known as asparaginyl endopeptidase or δ-secretase. Legumain is a family of cysteine proteases that specifically cleave peptide bonds at their carboxyl-terminal side of Asn or Asp residues. In plants, Legumains are key enzymes in the processing and activation of seed storage proteins during seed maturation. In mammals, Legumain mainly plays its protease activity. Legumain facilitates haemoglobin digestion. Legumain is also involved in processing self and foreign proteins for presentation on the MHCII complex. Besides, Legumain takes part in osteoclast remodeling. Legumain has broad tissue distribution, and is highly expressed in the kidneys, placenta, spleen, bladder, lungs, and thyroid and lymph nodes. Legumain is also overexpressed in cancers and promotes cancer cell migration^[1][2].