Cathepsin D in pancreatic acinar cells is implicated in cathepsin B and L degradation, but not in autophagic activity

Cathepsin D (CD) is the major lysosomal aspartic protease and is widely distributed in the cells of various mammalian tissues. CD participates in various physiological events such as regulation of programmed cell death, activation of enzymatic precursors, and metabolic degradation of intracellular proteins through macroautophagy.