Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
20
pubmed:dateCreated
2004-11-16
pubmed:abstractText
The release of hormones is subject to a complex and finely tuned regulation system. The biosynthesis plays a key role by specifically converting the prohormone precursor into its biological active product(s). A family of mammalian proteases could be identified to be responsible for the endoproteolytic processing. These subtilisin/kexin-like prohormone convertases (PC) recognize their substrates at single or pairs of basic residues with a high substrate specificity. The so far known seven members include PC1/3, PC2, furin/PACE, PACE4, PC4, PC5/6 and PC7/SPC7/LPC/PC8. PC1/3 and PC2 are the most important enzymes for the processing of prohormones, whereas furin is the only one that causes lethality in knock-out models. Tissue-specific co-localization of the prohormone and the PC as well as distinct characteristics of both, like the secondary structures, determine the possible conversion processes. Identification of such determinants implies a great potential for the development of novel drug targets. To obtain sufficient amounts for the in vitro characterization of prohormones, chemical and recombinant synthesis methods have been developed. Application of expressed protein ligation lead to the semisynthesis of the first chemically modified analogs of a full-length proneurohormone (pro-neuropeptide Y). Structural analyses mainly on peptides of the pro-oxytocin/neurophysin system and on prosomatostatin highlighted the importance of flexible turn or loop structures adjacent to the cleavage site for the specific substrate-enzyme active site interaction. Prohormones and their processing show multiple functions. Therapeutic application including PC inhibitors is very promising for the treatment of disorders like cancer.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Oct
pubmed:issn
0929-8673
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
11
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
2651-65
pubmed:dateRevised
2007-2-12
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
2004
pubmed:articleTitle
Biosynthesis of peptide hormones derived from precursor sequences.
pubmed:affiliation
Institute of Biochemistry, University of Leipzig, Brüderstr. 34, D 04103 Leipzig, Germany.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Review, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't