Description
Kallikrein-related peptidase 7 (KLK7) is a serine protease and was initially purified from the epidermis and characterised as stratum corneum chymotryptic enzyme (SCCE). It was later identified as the seventh member of the human kallikrein family. KLK7 is secreted as an inactive zymogen in the stratum granulosum layer of the epidermis and may be activated by KLK5 or matriptase. Once active, KLK7 is able to cleave desmocollin and corneodesmosin, indicating a role for KLK7 in maintaining skin homeostasis.