{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"Transmembrane Serine Protease 2 is part of the serine protease family, which is active in many physiological and pathological pathways. TMPRSS2 is a 492 amino acid protein, containing a type II transmembrane domain, a receptor class A domain, a scavenger receptor cysteine-rich domain, and a protease domain. It is upregulated by androgen hormones particularly in the prostate, where it may contribute to inflammation by activating PAR2 and prostate cancer through somatic rearrangement. TMPRSS2 is also expressed in the GI tract, stomach, kidney and in the lung epithelium, where it may cleave epithelial sodium channels. The TMPRSS2-ERG fusion pair is a common somatic gene rearrangement occurring in about 50% of primary prostate cancers."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"TMPRSS2-ERG fusion-positive tumors may be at higher risk for metastasis and influence from hormones, with a different androgen metabolism and higher insulin signaling than negative tumors. The protease domain also proteolytically cleaves and activates viral envelope glycoproteins, facilitating the cellular entry of human influenza and coronaviruses such as SARS-CoV-2."}]}]}