Cathepsin L

Cathepsin L (EC 3.4.22.15, Aldrichina grahami cysteine proteinase) is an important lysosomal endopeptidase enzyme which is involved in the initiation of protein degradation. It is a member of the Peptidase C1 family, which play an important role in diverse processes including normal lysosome mediated protein turnover, antigen and proprotein processing, and apoptosis. Cathepsin L has been reported in many organisms including fish, birds, mammals, and sponges.