Immunohistochemical analysis of the distribution of cathepsin D throughout human nervous system with reference to developmental aspects.

The aspartic endopeptidase cathepsin D was demonstrated in post mortem human brain by means of the peroxidase-antiperoxidase technique. The enzyme protein was found to be present in multiple neurons as well as in some glial cells. In embryonic nervous tissue cathepsin D was detected as early as at the 12th gestational week. During neuroontogenesis there was a continuous increase in cathepsin D immunoreactivity.