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Proprotein convertases: lessons from knockouts

Nathalie Scamuffa1, Fabien Calvo, Michel Chrétien

  • 1INSERM U716/ Equipe AVENIR, Institut de Génétique Moléculaire, 27 rue Juliette Dodu, 75010 Paris, France.

FASEB Journal : Official Publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology
|October 3, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Subtilisin/kexin-like proprotein convertases (PCs) are crucial for normal development and physiological processes. Gene disruption in mice reveals defects in development, hormone regulation, fertility, and metabolism, highlighting their broad impact.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Subtilisin/kexin-like proprotein convertases (PCs) are essential enzymes involved in processing various protein precursors.
  • These enzymes mediate proteolysis at specific amino acid residues, playing critical roles in numerous physiological pathways.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the in vivo consequences of disrupted proprotein convertase gene expression in rodents.
  • To elucidate the physiological roles and pathological involvement of PCs.

Main Methods:

  • Utilizing knockout mouse models to study the in vivo effects of gene disruption.
  • Summarizing major defects observed in genetically modified rodents.

Main Results:

  • Disruption of PC gene expression leads to significant in vivo defects, including abnormal embryonic development, hormonal disorders, and infertility.
  • Modified lipid/sterol metabolism is also observed in these models.
  • PCs are implicated in a wide range of pathologies, such as cancer, obesity, diabetes, and neurodegenerative diseases.

Conclusions:

  • Proprotein convertases are indispensable for normal physiological functions and development.
  • Dysregulation of PC activity is linked to diverse human diseases, underscoring their therapeutic relevance.

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