Prostate-specific antigen

Common card · No. 280695

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA), also known as kallikrein-3, is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the KLK3 gene. PSA is best known for its use as a marker for prostate cancer. In healthy function, it is secreted by the prostate into semen, which it liquifies. It does this by breaking down semenogelin, the most common protein in semen which makes it viscous. PSA is a member of the kallikrein-related peptidase family and is secreted by the epithelial cells of the prostate gland in men and the paraurethral glands in women. PSA is produced for the ejaculate, where it liquefies semen in the seminal coagulum and allows sperm to swim freely. It is also believed to be instrumental in dissolving cervical mucus, allowing the entry of sperm into the uterus. PSA is present in small quantities in the serum of men with healthy prostates, but is often elevated in the presence of prostate cancer or other prostate disorders. PSA is not uniquely an indicator of prostate cancer, but may also detect prostatitis...

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