Lkhider et al., J Cell Sci 2004
:
These results show that mature cathepsin D from endosomes or lysosomes is released, likely at the baso-lateral site of mammary epithelial cells, and that a cathepsin D-dependent activity is required to effect, under physiological conditions, the cleavage of 23 kDa prolactin in the extracellular medium
Clapp et al., Trends Endocrinol Metab 2007
(Cardiomyopathies...) :
The detrimental effect of prolactin results from myocardial upregulation of cathepsin-D , which in turn cleaves prolactin to a 16 kDa fragment ( vasoinhibin ) with anti-angiogenic and pro-apoptotic properties that impair developing cardiac vasculature
Castino et al., Endocrinology 2008
:
Prolactin promotes the secretion of active cathepsin D at the basal side of rat mammary acini