A comprehensive nomenclature for serine proteases with homology to tissue kallikreins

The human kallikrein locus on chromosome 19q13.3-13.4 contains kallikrein 1 - the tissue kallikrein - and 14 related serine proteases. Recent investigations into their function and evolution have indicated that the present nomenclature for these proteins is inadequate or insufficient. Here we present a new nomenclature in which proteins without proven kininogenase activity are denoted kallikrein-related peptidase. Names are also given to the unique rodent proteins that are closely related to kallikrein 1.