The significance of serpins in the regulation of proteases in the male genital tract

The male genital tract is rich in proteases, delivered by the male accessory sex glands, that are delicately balanced in their action by serpins, non-serpin class protease inhibitors and other regulatory mechanisms. Still, the biological function of the serpins and their target enzymes in the male genital tract and possible involvement in the regulation of normal reproductive function mainly remains to be elucidated. However, it is important with careful control of the catalytic activity of serine proteases, in particular in the different extracellular compartments, where they may produce significant potential hazards for biological structures. Immunochemical measurements of the serine protease prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in serum have gained widespread use in the monitoring and detection of prostate cancer. Moreover, the rapidly growing body of data on the disease-related variations in the proportion of different forms of PSA in serum which relate to the covalent complex formation between the serpin α1-antichymotrypsin and PSA has significantly improved the diagnostic specificity in blood testing for early detection of prostate cancer.