Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 18, 2026
Characterization at the Molecular Level using Robust Biochemical Approaches of a New Kinase Protein
Published on: June 30, 2019
Ontogeny of prolyl endopeptidase and pyroglutamyl peptidase I in rat tissues
Naiara Agirregoitia1, Luis Casis, Javier Gil
1Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of the Basque Country, P.O. Box 699, E-48080 Bilbao, Bizkaia, Spain. ofbagman@lg.ehu.es <ofbagman@lg.ehu.es>
Abstract:
Prolyl endopeptidase and pyroglutamyl peptidase I are enzymes which participate in the degradation of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), a hormone which is thought to play an important role in the development of organs and tissues. Here, we have characterized the ontogeny of TRH degrading enzyme activity in the brain cortex, lung, heart, kidney and liver. Overall, prolyl endopeptidase activity was found to be 2 to 5 fold higher in newborn vs. adult rat tissues, with the exception of the soluble form in the liver and the particulate form in the lung. In contrast, the developmental profile of pyroglutamyl peptidase I activity was found to be more variable and tissue dependent. These results corroborate the idea that both enzymes play important, tissue-specific roles during the development and maturation of rat organs.
