Proprotein convertase furin/PCSK3 and atherosclerosis: New insights and potential therapeutic targets
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Updated: Oct 2, 2026

A High-Throughput Luciferase Assay to Evaluate Proteolysis of the Single-Turnover Protease PCSK9
Published on: August 28, 2018
Kun Ren1, Ting Jiang2, Xi-Long Zheng3
1Department of Histology and Embryology, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi 541004, China; Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Key Laboratory for Atherosclerology of Hunan Province, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China.
Abstract:
Furin, a member of the mammalian proprotein convertases family, can promote the proteolytic maturation of proproteins. It is known that furin is predominantly present in certain cell types of human atherosclerotic lesions and neointima in animal models, including vascular smooth muscle cells, endothelial cells and mononuclear inflammatory cells. Evidence suggests that furin participates in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis through regulation of lipid and cholesterol metabolism, inflammatory response, blood pressure and the formation of atherosclerotic lesions. This review provides a panorama of the roles of furin in atherosclerosis and the insights into the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease.
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