Proprotein convertase PC1/3-related peptides are potent slow tight-binding inhibitors of murine PC1/3 and Hfurin

The Role of Proprotein Convertases in Upper Airway Remodeling

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a multifactorial, heterogeneous disease characterized by persistent inflammation of the sinonasal mucosa and tissue remodeling, which can include basal/progenitor cell hyperplasia, goblet cell hyperplasia, squamous cell metaplasia, loss or dysfunction of ciliated cells, and increased matrix deposition. Repeated injuries can stimulate airway epithelial cells to produce inflammatory mediators that activate epithelial cells, immune cells, or the epithelial-mesenchymal trophic unit. This persistent inflammation can consequently induce aberrant tissue remodeling. However, the molecular mechanisms driving disease within the different molecular CRS subtypes remain inadequately characterized. Numerous secreted and cell surface proteins relevant to airway inflammation and remodeling are initially synthesized as inactive precursor proteins, including growth/differentiation factors and their associated receptors, enzymes, adhesion molecules, neuropeptides, and peptide hormones. Therefore, these precursor proteins require post-translational cleavage by proprotein convertases (PCs) to become fully functional. In this review, we summarize the roles of PCs in CRS-associated tissue remodeling and discuss the therapeutic potential of targeting PCs for CRS treatment.

Inside the Insulin Secretory Granule

The pancreatic β-cell is purpose-built for the production and secretion of insulin, the only hormone that can remove glucose from the bloodstream. Insulin is kept inside miniature membrane-bound storage compartments known as secretory granules (SGs), and these specialized organelles can readily fuse with the plasma membrane upon cellular stimulation to release insulin. Insulin is synthesized in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) as a biologically inactive precursor, proinsulin, along with several other proteins that will also become members of the insulin SG. Their coordinated synthesis enables synchronized transit through the ER and Golgi apparatus for congregation at the trans-Golgi network, the initiating site of SG biogenesis. Here, proinsulin and its constituents enter the SG where conditions are optimized for proinsulin processing into insulin and subsequent insulin storage. A healthy β-cell is continually generating SGs to supply insulin in vast excess to what is secreted. Conversely, in type 2 diabetes (T2D), the inability of failing β-cells to secrete may be due to the limited biosynthesis of new insulin. Factors that drive the formation and maturation of SGs and thus the production of insulin are therefore critical for systemic glucose control. Here, we detail the formative hours of the insulin SG from the luminal perspective. We do this by mapping the journey of individual members of the SG as they contribute to its genesis.

A novel mutation in the mouse Pcsk1 gene showing obesity and diabetes

The proprotein convertase subtilisin/Kexin type 1 (PCSK1/PC1) protein processes inactive pro-hormone precursors into biologically active hormones in a number of neuroendocrine and endocrine cell types. Patients with recessive mutations in PCSK1 exhibit a complex spectrum of traits including obesity, diarrhoea and endocrine disorders. We describe here a new mouse model with a point mutation in the Pcsk1 gene that exhibits obesity, hyperphagia, transient diarrhoea and hyperproinsulinaemia, phenotypes consistent with human patient traits. The mutation results in a pV96L amino acid substitution and changes the first nucleotide of mouse exon 3 leading to skipping of that exon and in homozygotes very little full-length transcript. Overexpression of the exon 3 deleted protein or the 96L protein results in ER retention in Neuro2a cells. This is the second Pcsk1 mouse model to display obesity phenotypes, contrasting knockout mouse alleles. This model will be useful in investigating the basis of endocrine disease resulting from prohormone processing defects.

POMC: The Physiological Power of Hormone Processing

Pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) is the archetypal polypeptide precursor of hormones and neuropeptides. In this review, we examine the variability in the individual peptides produced in different tissues and the impact of the simultaneous presence of their precursors or fragments. We also discuss the problems inherent in accurately measuring which of the precursors and their derived peptides are present in biological samples. We address how not being able to measure all the combinations of precursors and fragments quantitatively has affected our understanding of the pathophysiology associated with POMC processing. To understand how different ratios of peptides arise, we describe the role of the pro-hormone convertases (PCs) and their tissue specificities and consider the cellular processing pathways which enable regulated secretion of different peptides that play crucial roles in integrating a range of vital physiological functions. In the pituitary, correct processing of POMC peptides is essential to maintain the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, and this processing can be disrupted in POMC-expressing tumors. In hypothalamic neurons expressing POMC, abnormalities in processing critically impact on the regulation of appetite, energy homeostasis, and body composition. More work is needed to understand whether expression of the POMC gene in a tissue equates to release of bioactive peptides. We suggest that this comprehensive view of POMC processing, with a focus on gaining a better understanding of the combination of peptides produced and their relative bioactivity, is a necessity for all involved in studying this fascinating physiological regulatory phenomenon.

Propeptides as modulators of functional activity of proteases

Most proteases are synthesized in the cell as precursor-containing propeptides. These structural elements can determine the folding of the cognate protein, function as an inhibitor/activator peptide, mediate enzyme sorting, and mediate the protease interaction with other molecules and supramolecular structures. The data presented in this review demonstrate modulatory activity of propeptides irrespective of the specific mechanism of action. Changes in propeptide structure, sometimes minor, can crucially alter protein function in the living organism. Modulatory activity coupled with high variation allows us to consider propeptides as specific evolutionary modules that can transform biological properties of proteases without significant changes in the highly conserved catalytic domains. As the considered properties of propeptides are not unique to proteases, propeptide-mediated evolution seems to be a universal biological mechanism.

Serine Proteases of Malaria Parasite Plasmodium falciparum: Potential as Antimalarial Drug Targets

Malaria is a major global parasitic disease and a cause of enormous mortality and morbidity. Widespread drug resistance against currently available antimalarials warrants the identification of novel drug targets and development of new drugs. Malarial proteases are a group of molecules that serve as potential drug targets because of their essentiality for parasite life cycle stages and feasibility of designing specific inhibitors against them. Proteases belonging to various mechanistic classes are found in P. falciparum, of which serine proteases are of particular interest due to their involvement in parasite-specific processes of egress and invasion. In P. falciparum, a number of serine proteases belonging to chymotrypsin, subtilisin, and rhomboid clans are found. This review focuses on the potential of P. falciparum serine proteases as antimalarial drug targets.

PCSK9 prosegment chimera as novel inhibitors of LDLR degradation

The proprotein convertase PCSK9, a target for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia, is a negative regulator of the LDL receptor (LDLR) leading to its degradation in endosomes/lysosomes and up-regulation of plasma LDL-cholesterol levels. The proprotein convertases, a family of nine secretory serine proteases, are first synthesized as inactive zymogens. Except for PCSK9, all other convertases are activated following the autocatalytic excision of their inhibitory N-terminal prosegment. PCSK9 is unique since the mature enzyme exhibits a cleaved prosegment complexed with the catalytic subunit and has no protease activity towards other substrates. Similar to other convertases, we hypothesized that the in trans presence of the PCSK9 prosegment would interfere with PCSK9's activity on the LDLR. Since the prosegment cannot be secreted alone, we engineered a chimeric protein using the Fc-region of human IgG1 fused to the PCSK9 prosegment. The expression of such Fcpro-fusion protein in HEK293 and HepG2 cells resulted in a secreted protein that binds PCSK9 and markedly inhibits its activity on the LDLR. This was observed by either intracellular co-expression of PCSK9 and Fcpro or by an extracellular in vitro co-incubation of Fcpro with PCSK9. Structure-function studies revealed that the inhibitory function of Fcpro does not require the acidic N-terminal stretch (residues 31–58) nor the C-terminal Gln₁₅₂ of the prosegment. Fcpro likely interacts with the prosegment and/or catalytic subunit of the prosegment≡PCSK9 complex thereby allosterically modulating its function. Our data suggest a novel strategic approach for the design and isolation of PCSK9 inhibitors.

Identification of a small molecule that selectively inhibits mouse PC2 over mouse PC1/3: a computational and experimental study

The calcium-dependent serine endoproteases prohormone convertase 1/3 (PC1/3) and prohormone convertase 2 (PC2) play important roles in the homeostatic regulation of blood glucose levels, hence implicated in diabetes mellitus. Specifically, the absence of PC2 has been associated with chronic hypoglycemia. Since there is a reasonably good conservation of the catalytic domain between species translation of inhibitory effects is likely. In fact, similar results have been found using both mouse and human recombinant enzymes. Here, we employed computational structure-based approaches to screen 14,400 compounds from the Maybridge small molecule library towards mouse PC2. Our most remarkable finding was the identification of a potent and selective PC2 inhibitor. Kinetic data showed the compound to be an allosteric inhibitor. The compound identified is one of the few reported selective, small-molecule inhibitors of PC2. In addition, this new PC2 inhibitor is structurally different and of smaller size than those reported previously. This is advantageous for future studies where structural analogues can be built upon.

Inhibition of prohormone convertases PC1/3 and PC2 by 2,5-dideoxystreptamine derivatives

The prohormone convertases PC1/3 and PC2 are eukaryotic serine proteases involved in the proteolytic maturation of peptide hormone precursors and are implicated in a variety of pathological conditions, including obesity, diabetes, and neurodegenerative diseases. In this work, we screened 45 compounds obtained by derivatization of a 2,5-dideoxystreptamine scaffold with guanidinyl and aryl substitutions for convertase inhibition. We identified four promising PC1/3 competitive inhibitors and three PC2 inhibitors that exhibited various inhibition mechanisms (competitive, noncompetitive, and mixed), with sub- and low micromolar inhibitory potency against a fluorogenic substrate. Low micromolar concentrations of certain compounds blocked the processing of the physiological substrate proglucagon. The best PC2 inhibitor effectively inhibited glucagon synthesis, a known PC2-mediated process, in a pancreatic cell line; no cytotoxicity was observed. We also identified compounds that were able to stimulate both 87 kDa PC1/3 and PC2 activity, behavior related to the presence of aryl groups on the dideoxystreptamine scaffold. By contrast, inhibitory activity was associated with the presence of guanidinyl groups. Molecular modeling revealed interactions of the PC1/3 inhibitors with the active site that suggest structural modifications to further enhance potency. In support of kinetic data suggesting that PC2 inhibition probably occurs via an allosteric mechanism, we identified several possible allosteric binding sites using computational searches. It is noteworthy that one compound was found to both inhibit PC2 and stimulate PC1/3. Because glucagon acts in functional opposition to insulin in blood glucose homeostasis, blocking glucagon formation and enhancing proinsulin cleavage with a single compound could represent an attractive therapeutic approach in diabetes.

Design of peptide inhibitors for furin based on the C-terminal fragment of histone H1.2

The mammalian proprotein convertase furin has been found to play an important role in diverse physiological and pathological events, such as the activation of viral glycoproteins and bacterial exotoxins. Small, non‐toxic and highly active, furin inhibitors are considered to be attractive drug candidates for diseases caused by virus and bacteria. In this study, a series of peptide inhibitors were designed and synthesized based on the C‐terminal fragment of histone H1.2, which has an inhibitory effect on furin. Replacing the reactive site of inhibitors with the consensus substrate recognition sequence of furin has been found to increase inhibitory activity greatly. The most potent inhibitor, I₄, with 14 amino acid residues has a K_i value of 17 nM for furin. Although most of the synthesized peptides were temporary inhibitors, the inhibitor I₅, with nine amino acids, retained its full potency, even after a 3 h incubation period with furin at 37 °C. These inhibitors may potentially lead to the development of anti‐viral and antibacterial drug compounds.

Prosegment of tripeptidyl peptidase I is a potent, slow-binding inhibitor of its cognate enzyme

Tripeptidyl peptidase I (TPP I) is the first mammalian representative of a family of pepstatin-insensitive serine-carboxyl proteases, or sedolisins. The enzyme acts in lysosomes, where it sequentially removes tripeptides from the unmodified N terminus of small, unstructured polypeptides. Naturally occurring mutations in TPP I underlie a neurodegenerative disorder of childhood, classic late infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (CLN2). Generation of mature TPP I is associated with removal of a long prosegment of 176 amino acid residues from the zymogen. Here we investigated the inhibitory properties of TPP I prosegment expressed and isolated from Escherichia coli toward its cognate protease. We show that the TPP I prosegment is a potent, slow-binding inhibitor of its parent enzyme, with an overall inhibition constant in the low nanomolar range. We also demonstrate the protective effect of the prosegment on alkaline pH-induced inactivation of the enzyme. Interestingly, the inhibitory properties of TPP I prosegment with the introduced classic late infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis disease-associated mutation, G77R, significantly differed from those revealed by wild-type prosegment in both the mechanism of interaction and the inhibitory rate. This is the first characterization of the inhibitory action of the sedolisin prosegment.

Proteases for processing proneuropeptides into peptide neurotransmitters and hormones

Peptide neurotransmitters and peptide hormones, collectively known as neuropeptides, are required for cell-cell communication in neurotransmission and for regulation of endocrine functions. Neuropeptides are synthesized from protein precursors (termed proneuropeptides or prohormones) that require proteolytic processing primarily within secretory vesicles that store and secrete the mature neuropeptides to control target cellular and organ systems. This review describes interdisciplinary strategies that have elucidated two primary protease pathways for prohormone processing consisting of the cysteine protease pathway mediated by secretory vesicle cathepsin L and the well-known subtilisin-like proprotein convertase pathway that together support neuropeptide biosynthesis. Importantly, this review discusses important areas of current and future biomedical neuropeptide research with respect to biological regulation, inhibitors, structural features of proneuropeptide and protease interactions, and peptidomics combined with proteomics for systems biological approaches. Future studies that gain in-depth understanding of protease mechanisms for generating active neuropeptides will be instrumental for translational research to develop pharmacological strategies for regulation of neuropeptide functions. Pharmacological applications for neuropeptide research may provide valuable therapeutics in health and disease.

Potential opportunity in the development of new therapeutic agents based on endogenous and exogenous inhibitors of the proprotein convertases

The proprotein convertases (PCs) are responsible for the endoproteolytic processing of various protein precursors (e.g., growth factors, receptors, adhesion molecules, and matrix metalloproteinases) implicated in several diseases such as obesity, diabetes, atherosclerosis, cancer, and Alzheimer disease. The potential clinical and pharmacological role of the PCs has fostered the development of various PC‐inhibitors. In this review we summarized the recent findings on PCs inhibitors, their mode of actions and potential use in the therapy of various diseases. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Med Res Rev, 27, No. 5, 631–648, 2007

Inhibition of proprotein convertases: approaches to block squamous carcinoma development and progression

Most proprotein convertase (PC) inhibitors are compounds that act as competitive inhibitors. All of them contain the general cleavage motif RXK/RR that binds to the PC's active site impairing further interactions with their physiological substrates. The first inhibitors synthesized were the acyl-peptidyl-chloromethyl ketones that bind to the PC's active site through its peptidyl group and are able to transverse the plasma membrane due to the acyl moiety. For instance, one of the members of this family that exhibits reduced toxicity and has been widely used as an effective general PCs inhbitor is the derivative decanoyl-RVKR-chloromethylketone (CMK). Another approach to PC inhibition is based on proteins that contain either a natural or a bioengineered PC cleavage consensus site. In this context, the bioengineered serpin, alpha-1-antitrypsin Portland (alpha 1-PDX or PDX), proved to be a potent inhibitor of furin, the most studied of the cancer-related PCs. Both PDX and CMK were able to inhibit invasiveness of squamous cell carcinoma cell lines by blocking activation of cancer-associated PC substrates such as MT-MMPs, IGF-1R, and VEGF-C. A similar effect was produced by inhibiting PC-mediated processing using furin prosegment. PDX and CMK have also been assayed in vivo using skin carcinogenesis models. Newer promising small molecules and RNA interference approaches are also being developed to inhibit PCs.

The C-terminal region of the proprotein convertase 1/3 (PC1/3) exerts a bimodal regulation of the enzyme activity in vitro

The proprotein convertase PC1/3 preferentially cleaves its substrates in the dense core secretory granules of endocrine and neuroendocrine cells. Similar to most proteinases synthesized first as zymogens, PC1/3 is synthesized as a larger precursor that undergoes proteolytic processing of its signal peptide and propeptide. The N-terminally located propeptide has been shown to be essential for folding and self-inhibition. Furthermore, PC1/3 also possesses a C-terminal region (CT-peptide) which, for maximal enzymatic activity, must also be cleaved. To date, its role has been documented through transfection studies in terms of sorting and targeting of PC1/3 and chimeric proteins into secretory granules. In this study, we examined the properties of a 135-residue purified bacterially produced CT-peptide on the in vitro enzymatic activity of PC1/3. Depending on the amount of CT-peptide used, it is shown that the CT-peptide increases PC1/3 activity at low concentrations (nm) and decreases it at high concentrations (microm), a feature typical of an activator. Furthermore, we show that, contrary to the propeptide, the CT-peptide is not further cleaved by PC1/3 although it is sensitive to human furin activity. Based on these results, it is proposed that PC1/3, through its various domains, is capable of controlling its enzymatic activity in all regions of the cell that it encounters. This mode of self-control is unique among members of all proteinases families.

A targeted deletion/insertion in the mouse Pcsk1 locus is associated with homozygous embryo preimplantation lethality, mutant allele preferential transmission and heterozygous female susceptibility to dietary fat

Proprotein convertase 1 (PC1) is a neuroendocrine proteinase involved in the proteolytic activation of precursors to hormones and neuropeptides. To determine the physiological importance of PC1, we produced a mutant mouse from embryonic stem cells in which its locus (Pcsk1) had been inactivated by homologous recombination. The inactivating mutation consisted of a 32.7-kb internal deletion and a 1.8 kb insertion of the bacterial neomycin resistance gene (neo) under the mouse phosphoglycerate kinase 1 protein (PGKneo). Intercross of Pcsk1(+/-) mice produced no Pcsk1(-/-) offspring or blastocysts; in addition, more than 80% of the offspring were Pcsk1(+/-). These observations suggested that the mutation caused preimplantation lethality of homozygous embryos and preferential transmission of the mutant allele. Interestingly, RT-PCR analysis on RNA from endocrine tissues from Pcsk1(+/-) mice revealed the presence of aberrant transcripts specifying the N-terminal half of the PC1 propeptide fused to neo gene product. Mass spectrometric profiles of proopiomelanocortin-derived peptides in the anterior pituitary were similar between Pcsk1(+/-) and Pcsk1(+/+) mice, but significantly different between male and female mice of the same genotype. Relative to their wild-type counterparts, female mutant mice exhibited stunted growth under a low fat diet, and catch-up growth under a high-fat diet. The complex phenotype exhibited by this Pcsk1 mutant mouse model may be due to PC1 deficiency aggravated by expression of aberrant gene products from the mutant allele.

Single amino acid substitution in the PC1/3 propeptide can induce significant modifications of its inhibitory profile toward its cognate enzyme

The proprotein convertase PC1/3 is synthesized as a large precursor that undergoes proteolytic processing of the signal peptide, the propeptide and ultimately the COOH-terminal tail, to generate the mature form. The propeptide is essential for protease folding, and, although cleaved by an autocatalytic process, it remains associated with the mature form acting as an auto-inhibitor of PC1/3. To further assess the role of certain residues in its interaction with its cognate enzyme, we performed an alanine scan on two PC1/3 propeptide potential cleavable sites ((50)RRSRR(54) and (61)KR(62)) and an acidic region (65)DDD(67) conserved among species. Upon incubation with PC1/3, the ensuing peptides exhibit equal inhibitory potency, lower potency, or higher potency than the wild-type propeptide. The K(i) values calculated varied between 0.15 and 16.5 nm. All but one mutant exhibited a tight binding behavior. To examine the specificity of mutants, we studied their reactivity toward furin, a closely related convertase. The mutation of certain residues also affects the inhibition behavior toward furin yielding propeptides exhibiting K(i) ranging from 0.2 to 24 nm. Mutant propeptides exhibited against each enzyme either different mode of inhibition, enhanced selectivity in the order of 40-fold for one enzyme, or high potency with no discrimination. Hence, we demonstrate through single amino acid substitution that it is feasible to modify the inhibitory behavior of propeptides toward convertases in such a way as to increase or decrease their potency, modify their inhibitory mechanisms, as well as increase their selectivity.

Discovery of the Proprotein Convertases and their Inhibitors

The members of the convertase family play a central role in the processing of various protein precursors ranging from hormones and growth factors to viral envelope proteins and bacterial toxins. The proteolysis of these precursors that occurs at basic residues is mediated by the proprotein convertases (PCs), namely: PC1, PC2, Furin, PACE4, PC4, PC5 and PC7. The proteolysis at non-basic residues is performed by subtilisin/kexin-like isozyme-1 (S1P/SKI-1) and the newly identified neural apoptosis-regulated convertase-1 (NARC-1/PCSK9). These proteases have key roles in many physiological processes and various pathologies including cancer, obesity, diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases and autosomal dominant hypercholesterolermia. Here we summarize the discovery of the proprotein convertases and their inhibitors, discuss their properties, roles, resemblance and differences

Molecular identification of a malaria merozoite surface sheddase

Proteolytic shedding of surface proteins during invasion by apicomplexan parasites is a widespread phenomenon, thought to represent a mechanism by which the parasites disengage adhesin-receptor complexes in order to gain entry into their host cell. Erythrocyte invasion by merozoites of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum requires the shedding of ectodomain components of two essential surface proteins, called MSP1 and AMA1. Both are released by the same merozoite surface "sheddase," but the molecular identity and mode of action of this protease is unknown. Here we identify it as PfSUB2, an integral membrane subtilisin-like protease (subtilase). We show that PfSUB2 is stored in apical secretory organelles called micronemes. Upon merozoite release it is secreted onto the parasite surface and translocates to its posterior pole in an actin-dependent manner, a trafficking pattern predicted of the sheddase. Subtilase propeptides are usually selective inhibitors of their cognate protease, and the PfSUB2 propeptide is no exception; we show that recombinant PfSUB2 propeptide binds specifically to mature parasite-derived PfSUB2 and is a potent, selective inhibitor of MSP1 and AMA1 shedding, directly establishing PfSUB2 as the sheddase. PfSUB2 is a new potential target for drugs designed to prevent erythrocyte invasion by the malaria parasite.

Inhibitors of proprotein convertases

The discovery of mammalian subtilases, proprotein convertases (PCs) or subtilisin-like proprotein convertases (SPCs), in 1990 was a result of sustained efforts in searching for enzyme/s responsible for maturation of inactive protein precursors. Since then, seven PCs have so far been discovered that cleave at the carboxy-terminal of a basic amino acid characterized by the consensus sequence Arg/Lys/His-X-X/Lys/Arg-Arg downward arrow, where X denotes any amino acid other than Cys. Two additional PC subtypes--called subtilisin kexin isozyme 1 (SKI-1) or site 1 protease (S1P) and neural apoptosis regulated convertase 1 (NARC-1), also known as PCSK9--that cleave at the carboxy terminus of nonbasic amino acids were discovered later. Numerous studies revealed various important functional roles of PCs in health and diseases such as tumorigenesis, diabetes, viral infections, bacterial pathogenesis, atherosclerosis, and neurodegenarative diseases such as Alzheimer's. Owing to these findings, PCs became a promising frontier for treatment of diverse pathologies. Thus modulation of PC activity with designed inhibitors is an attractive proposition not only for intervention of diseases, but also for biochemical characterization of these enzymes. Various physiological and bioengineered proteins as well as small molecules such as peptide, peptidomimetic, and nonpeptide compounds as inhibitors of PCs have been described in the literature. Among the strategies used for design of PC inhibitors, the most successful is the one based on bioengineered serpin proteins, of which the best example is alpha1-PDX, the double mutant variant of alpha1-antitrypsin (from A(355)IPM(358) to R(355)IPR(358)). Others include small peptide inhibitors with C-terminal carboxyl function modified with a potent neucleophile or those containing pseudo or isosteric peptide bond at the scissile site of a suitable peptide substrate. Among nonpeptide PC inhibitors, the number is very limited. So far, these include 20-carbon atoms containing alicyclic diterpenes of andrographolide family and heterocyclic compounds that are ligands of Zn2+ and Cu2+ ions. Overall, these molecules display only a modest enzyme inhibition; however, they may serve as important lead structures for further development of more potent and specific nonpeptide PC inhibitors as potential therapeutic agents. Many PC inhibitors display their functional properties in proliferation, fertilization, tumorigenesis, obesity, embryogenesis, or diabetes via their inhibitory action on PC activities.

Evidence for proprotein convertase activity in the endoplasmic reticulum/early Golgi

Processing of precursor proteins by the proprotein convertases is thought to occur mainly in the trans-Golgi network or post-Golgi compartments. Such cleavage is inhibited by the prosegment of the convertases. During our studies of the use of the inhibitory prosegment of PC1, we noticed that a construct containing the prosegment fused to the C-terminal secretory granule sorting domain was cleaved in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) at a pair of basic residues, best recognized by furin and PC7. This was further confirmed when this construct was fused at the C-terminus with a KDEL ER-retention signal. This suggests that the convertases could cleave some substrates within the ER, possibly by displacing the inhibitory prosegment associated with them.

Endo/exo-proteolysis in neoplastic progression and metastasis

Biological control of individual cells, organs, and organisms is achieved through interplay of a host of specific interactions that involve various peptidic molecules as modulators or effectors. In tumor cells, these processes may result in uncontrolled growth as a consequence of autocrine and/or paracrine actions. In recent years, growing evidence has accumulated for the important role of proprotein convertases (PCs) and peptide alpha-amidation enzymes in these processes. The widespread belief that these enzymes are involved in the major features of tumor progression, namely, invasiveness and metastasis, has taken place because of their capacity to process and activate many protein precursors involved in the neoplastic progression and metastasis. This includes degrading extracellular matrix proteases, growth promoting factors, and adhesion molecules. Usually, when the processing of these precursor proteins is achieved by one or more of the known PC family members within the general motif (K/R)-(X)n-(K/R) downward arrow, where n=0, 2, 4, or 6, and X, any amino acid except Cys, the accomplishment of the maturation of these molecules is attained by various posttranslational modifications, including the carboxy-terminal alpha-amidation. This review article summarizes recent findings on the role of these enzymatic systems in multiple cellular functions that impact on the invasive/metastatic potential of cancer cells and highlight the potential use of their inhibitors in the treatment of multiple cancers.

Stability of mutant serpin/furin complexes: dependence on pH and regulation at the deacylation step

Furin proteolytically cleaves a wide variety of proprotein substrates mainly within the trans-Golgi network (TGN) but also at the cell membrane and in endosomal compartments where pH is more acidic. Incorporation of furin recognition sequences within the reactive site loop (RSL) of alpha(1)-antitrypsin (AT) leads to the production of furin inhibitors. In an attempt to design more stable, potent, and specific serpin-based inhibitors, we constructed a series of AT and alpha(1)-antichymotrypsin (ACT) mutants by modifying the P(7)-P(1) region of their RSLs. The biochemical properties of these variants were assessed by evaluating their propensity to establish SDS-resistant complexes with furin in a variety of conditions (pH 6.0-9.0) and by measuring their association rate constants. The effect of pH during the initial steps of complex formation was minimal, suggesting that the acylation step is not rate-limiting. The decrease in stoichiometry of inhibition (SI) values observed in AT variants at high pHs was a result of the reduced pH-dependent deacylation rate, which is rate-limiting in this mechanism and which suggests increased complex stability. Conversely, the SI values for ACT mutants had a tendency to be lower at acidic pH. Transiently transfecting HEK293 cells with these mutants abolished processing of the pro-von Willebrand factor precursor but, interestingly, only the ACT variants were secreted in the media as uncleaved forms. Our results suggest that reengineering the reactive site loops of serpins to accommodate and target furin or other serine proteases must take into account the intrinsic physicochemical properties of the serpin.

Proopiomelanocortin processing in the anterior pituitary of the ovine fetus after lesion of the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus

The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis plays an essential role in the maturation of fetal organs and, in sheep, birth. Lesioning the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) in fetal sheep prevents adrenocortical maturation and parturition without altering plasma immunoreactive ACTH concentrations. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of PVN lesion on anterior pituitary processing of proopiomelanocortin (POMC) to ACTH, plasma concentrations of ACTH and ACTH precursors (POMC; 22-kDa proACTH), and expression of subtilisin-like prohormone convertase 3 (SPC3) in corticotropes in fetal sheep. PVN lesion did not affect anterior pituitary POMC and 22-kDa proACTH levels, whereas ACTH was significantly affected. The ACTH precursor (POMC plus 22-kDa proACTH) to ACTH ratio in the anterior pituitary was significantly increased after PVN lesion. Post-PVN lesion, fetal plasma ACTH(1-39), was below the limit of detection, whereas ACTH precursors (POMC plus 22-kDa proACTH) were not affected. In the inferior region of the anterior pituitary, 40-50% of corticotropes had detectable SPC3 hybridization signal, and PVN lesion did not change the extent of colocalization of POMC and SPC3, or SPC3 mRNA levels within corticotropes. Neither the percent of corticotropes in the superior region containing SPC3 hybridization (7-12%) or hybridization signal strength was altered in response to PVN lesion. In conclusion, the fetal PVN is necessary for sustaining adequate anterior pituitary processing of POMC to ACTH and ACTH release needed for maturing the adrenal cortex in the sheep fetus.

Specific Inhibition and Stabilization of Aspergilloglutamic Peptidase by the Propeptide

Aspergilloglutamic peptidase (formerly called aspergillopepsin II) is an acid endopeptidase produced by Aspergillus niger var. macrosporus, with a novel catalytic dyad of a glutamic acid and a glutamine residue, thus belonging to a novel peptidase family G1. The mature enzyme is generated from its precursor by removal of the putative 41-residue propeptide and an 11-residue intervening peptide through autocatalytic activation. In the present study, the propeptide (Ala1-Asn41) and a series of its truncated peptides were chemically synthesized, and their effects on the enzyme activity and thermal stability were examined to identify the sequences and residues in the propeptide most critical to the inhibition and thermal stabilization. The synthetic propeptide was shown to be a potent competitive inhibitor of the enzyme (Ki = 27 nM at pH 4.0). Various shorter propeptide fragments derived from the central region of the propeptide had significant inhibitory effect, whereas their Ala scan-substituted peptides, especially R19A and H20A, showed only weak inhibition. Substitution of the Pro23-Pro24 sequence near His20 with an Ala-Ala sequence changed the peptide Lys18-Tyr25 to a substrate with His20 as the P1 residue. Furthermore, the propeptide was shown to be able to significantly protect the enzyme from thermal denaturation (DeltaTm = approximately 19 degrees C at pH 5.6). The protective potencies of the propeptide as well as truncated propeptides and their Ala scan-substituted peptides are parallel with their inhibitory potencies. These results indicate that the central part, and especially Arg19 and His20 therein, of the propeptide is most critical to the inhibition and thermal stabilization and that His20 interacts with the enzyme at or near the S1 site in a nonproductive fashion.

Proprotein Convertase Models based on the Crystal Structures of Furin and Kexin: Explanation of their Specificity

In eukaryotes, many secreted proteins and peptide hormones are excised from larger precursors by calcium-dependent serine proteinases, the proprotein/prohormone convertases (PCs). These PCs cleave their protein substrates very specifically following multiple basic residues. The seven mammalian PCs and their yeast orthologue kexin are multi-domain proteinases consisting of a subtilisin-related catalytic domain, a conserved P-domain and a variable, often cysteine-rich domain, which in some PCs is followed by an additional C-terminal trans-membrane domain and a short cytoplasmic domain. The recently published crystal structures of the soluble mouse furin and yeast kexin ectodomains have revealed the relative arrangement of catalytic and P domains, the exact domain fold and the detailed architecture of the substrate binding clefts. Based on these experimental structures, we now have modelled the structures of the other human/mouse PCs. According to topology and to structure-based sequence comparisons, these other PCs closely resemble furin, with PC4, PACE4 and PC5/6 being more similar, and PC1/3, PC2 and PC7 being less similar to furin. Except for PC1 and PC2, this order of similarity is valid for the catalytic as well as for the P domains, and is almost reversed using kexin as a reference molecule. A similar order results from the number and clustering of negative charges lining the non-prime subsites, explaining the gradually decreasing requirement for basic residues N-terminal to substrate cleavage sites. The preference of the different PCs for distinct substrates seems to be governed by overall charge compensation and matching of the detailed charge distribution pattern.

Improved PC1/3 production through recombinant expression in insect cells and larvae

Protein convertase 1/3 is a serine endoproteinase present in the regulated secretory pathway of endocrine and neuroendocrine cells. It is responsible for the processing of numerous prohormones and proneuropeptides into their biologically active moieties, often following cleavage at pairs of basic residues. The determination of its three-dimensional structure, as well as the understanding of its enzymatic properties, would greatly benefit from the production and availability of large amounts of recombinant enzyme. We report herein improvements in the production of PC1/3 by expressing recombinant mutated forms in both insect cells (Spodoptera frugiperda, Sf9 cells) and larvae (Trichoplusia ni commonly referred to as cabbage looper). On one hand, we deleted the last 135 COOH-terminal residues of mPC1/3 and, on the other hand, we replaced the signal peptide of mPC1/3 by the viral glycoprotein gp67 signal peptide. These modifications were shown to improve markedly (up to 125%) the secretion into the Sf9 cells medium and the amount of enzymatic activity recovered when compared to the original vector. Moreover, intracoelemic injection of the vectors into insect larvae led to the production and purification of enzymatically active enzyme at a level of 30 microg/larva in the case of mPC1/3 and to the production of a high amount of another enzymatically active convertase, PC7. The optimal viral titer for infection of larvae was determined to be 10(6)pfu/ml. Taking into account the purification protocol combined with the ease and efficiency of using larvae, it should now be possible to meet the needs for biochemical and structural studies.

Maturation of Human Tripeptidyl-peptidase I in Vitro

Tripeptidyl-peptidase I (TPP I, CLN2 protein) is a lysosomal aminopeptidase that cleaves off tripeptides from the free N termini of oligopeptides and also shows minor endopeptidase activity. TPP I is synthesized as a preproenzyme. Its proenzyme autoactivates under acidic conditions in vitro, resulting in a rapid conversion into the mature form. In this study, we examined the process of maturation in vitro of recombinant latent human TPP I purified to homogeneity from secretions of Chinese hamster ovary cells overexpressing TPP I cDNA. Autoprocessing of TPP I proenzyme was carried out at a wide pH range, from approximately 2.0 to 6.0, albeit with different efficiencies depending on the pH and the type of buffer. However, the acquisition of enzymatic activity in the same buffer took place in a narrower pH "window," usually in the range of 3.6-4.2. N-terminal sequencing revealed that mature, inactive enzyme generated during autoactivation at higher pH contained N-terminal extensions (starting at 6 and 14 amino acid residues upstream of the prosegment/mature enzyme junction), which could contribute to the lack of activity of TPP I generated in this manner. Autoprocessing was not associated with any major changes of the secondary structure of the proenzyme, as revealed by CD spectroscopy. Both the activation and proteolytic processing of the recombinant TPP I precursor were primarily concentration-independent. The addition of the mature enzyme did not accelerate the processing of the proenzyme. In addition, the maturation of the proenzyme was not affected by the presence of glycerol. Finally, the proenzyme with the active site mutated (S475L) was not processed in the presence of the wild-type enzyme. All of these findings indicate a primarily intramolecular (unimolecular) mechanism of TPP I activation and autoprocessing and suggest that in vivo mature enzyme does not significantly participate in its own generation from the precursor.

Development of protein-based inhibitors of the proprotein of convertase SKI-1/S1P: processing of SREBP-2, ATF6, and a viral glycoprotein

Processing of membrane-bound transcription factors such as sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBPs) and the ER-stress response factor ATF6, and glycoproteins of some hemorrhagic fever viruses are initiated by the proprotein convertase SKI-1/S1P. So far, no cellular protein-based inhibitor of the hydrophobic-amino acid specific SKI-1 is known. The prosegment of the basic-amino acid specific convertases (e.g. furin and PC5) or alpha(1)-PDX, a variant of alpha(1)-antitrypsin (alpha(1)-AT) exhibiting an RIPR(358) sequence at the reactive site loop, were shown to potently inhibit these secretory proteinases. Accordingly, we tested the SKI-1-inhibitory potential of various point mutants of either the 198 amino acid preprosegment of SKI-1-(1-198) or alpha(1)-AT. Transient transfections data showed that, out of numerous mutants studied, the R134E prosegment mutant or the alpha(1)-AT reactive site loop variants RRVL(358), RRYL(358) and RRIL(358) are the best specific cellular inhibitors of SKI-1. The observed inhibition of the processing of endogenous SREBP-2, exogenous ATF6 and a PDGF-A (RRLL(86)) variant were >55% and reach approximately 80% in stable transfectants. We also show that SKI-1 forms SDS-stable complexes with these alpha(1)-AT variants, but not with wild-type alpha(1)-AT or alpha(1)-PDX. Finally, these inhibitors were also shown to affect the processing and stability of the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus glycoprotein.

Small-intestinal dysfunction accompanies the complex endocrinopathy of human proprotein convertase 1 deficiency

We have previously described the only reported case of human proprotein convertase 1 (PC1) deficiency, in a female (Subject A) with obesity, hypogonadism, hypoadrenalism, and reactive hypoglycemia. We now report the second case of human PC1 deficiency (Subject B), also due to compound heterozygosity for novel missense and nonsense mutations. While both subjects shared the phenotypes of obesity, hypoadrenalism, reactive hypoglycemia, and elevated circulating levels of certain prohormones, the clinical presentation of Subject B was dominated by severe refractory neonatal diarrhea, malabsorptive in type. Subsequent investigation of Subject A revealed marked small-intestinal absorptive dysfunction, which was not previously clinically suspected. We postulate that PC1, presumably in the enteroendocrine cells, is essential for the normal absorptive function of the human small intestine. The differences in the nature and severity of presentation between the two cases cannot readily be explained on the basis of allelic heterogeneity, as the nonsense and missense mutations from both subjects had comparably severe effects on the catalytic activity of PC1. Despite Subject A's negligible PC1 activity, some mature ACTH and glucagon-like peptide 17-36(amide) were detectable in her plasma, suggesting that the production of these hormones, at least in humans, does not have an absolute dependence on PC1. The presence of severe obesity and the absence of growth retardation in both subjects contrast markedly with the phenotype of mice lacking PC1 and suggest that the precise physiological repertoire of this enzyme may vary between mammalian species.

Barley serine proteinase inhibitor 2-derived cyclic peptides as potent and selective inhibitors of convertases PC1/3 and furin

Proprotein convertases (PCs) are serine proteases containing a subtilisin-like catalytic domain that are involved in the conversion of hormone precursors into their active form. This study aims at designing small cyclic peptides that would specifically inhibit two members of this family of enzymes, namely, the neuroendocrine PC1/3 and the ubiquitously expressed furin. We studied peptide sequences related to the 18-residue loop identified as the active site of the 83 amino acid barley serine protease inhibitor 2 (BSPI-2). Peptides incorporating mutations at various positions in the sequence were synthesized on solid phase and purified by HPLC. Cyclization was achieved by the introduction of a disulfide bridge between the two Cys residues located at both the N- and C-terminal extremities. Peptides VIIA and VIIB incorporating P4Arg, P2Lys, P1Arg, and P2'Lys were the most potent inhibitors with K(i) around 4 microM for furin and around 0.5 microM for PC1/3. Whereas peptide VIIB behaved as a competitive inhibitor of furin, peptide VIIA acted as a noncompetitive one. However, all peptides were eventually cleaved after variable incubation times by PC1/3 or furin. To avoid this problem, we incorporated at the identified cleavage site a nonscissile aminomethylene bond (psi[CH(2)-NH]). Those pseudopeptides, in particular peptide VIID, were shown not to be cleaved and to inhibit potently furin. Conversely, they were not able to inhibit PC1/3 at all. Those results show the validity of this approach in designing new effective PC inhibitors showing a certain level of discrimination between PC1/3 and furin.

Functional characterization of the propeptide of Plasmodium falciparum subtilisin-like protease-1

Erythrocyte invasion by the malaria merozoite is prevented by serine protease inhibitors. Various aspects of the biology of Plasmodium falciparum subtilisin-like protease-1 (PfSUB-1), including the timing of its expression and its apical location in the merozoite, suggest that this enzyme is involved in invasion. Recombinant PfSUB-1 expressed in a baculovirus system is secreted in the p54 form, noncovalently bound to its cognate propeptide, p31. To understand the role of p31 in PfSUB-1 maturation, we examined interactions between p31 and both recombinant and native enzymes. CD analyses revealed that recombinant p31 (rp31) possesses significant secondary structure on its own, comparable with that of folded propeptides of some bacterial subtilisins. Kinetic studies demonstrated that rp31 is a fast binding, high affinity inhibitor of PfSUB-1. Inhibition of two bacterial subtilisins by rp31 was much less effective, with inhibition constants 49-60-fold higher than that for PfSUB-1. Single (at the P4 or P1 position) or double (at P4 and P1 positions) point mutations of residues within the C-terminal region of rp31 had little effect on its inhibitory activity, and truncation of 11 residues from the rp31 C terminus substantially reduced, but did not abolish, inhibition. None of these modifications prevented binding to the PfSUB-1 catalytic domain or rendered the propeptide susceptible to proteolytic digestion by PfSUB-1. These studies provide new insights into the function of the propeptide in PfSUB-1 activation and shed light on the structural requirements for interaction with the catalytic domain.

Synthetic peptides derived from the prosegments of proprotein convertase 1/3 and furin are potent inhibitors of both enzymes

Proprotein convertases (PCs) are Ca(2+)-dependent serine proteases of the subtilisin/kexin family which are known specifically to cleave propeptide and proprotein substrates at the C-terminal of R-X-(K/R)-R/ to generate the relevant biologically active peptides. PCs are initially synthesized as enzymically inactive proenzyme forms where the prosegments play an important inhibitory role to the respective enzymes. Here we investigated whether synthetic peptides derived from the pro-region could also represent specific and potent inhibitors. Based upon sequence alignment, secondary structure analysis and hydrophilicity plot, a number of peptides ranging from 8 to 33 residues were selected. These included segments encompassing residues 55-62, 50-62, 39-62, 50-83, 55-83, 64-83 and 74-83 in the pro-mouse PC1/3 sequence and residues 54-62, 48-62 and 39-62 of the pro-human furin sequence. All peptides were prepared by solid-phase FastMoc chemistry, purified by reversed-phase HPLC and characterized by MS and amino acid analysis. These peptides were tested in vitro for inhibitory activity towards recombinant mouse PC1/3 and human furin. Progress-curve and end-time kinetic analysis demonstrated that a number of these peptides, particularly those containing both the primary and the secondary processing sites, displayed strong inhibition of both enzymes with inhibition constants (K (i)) in the high nanomolar range. Unlike the whole propeptide, these small synthetic peptide inhibitors exhibited either true competitive or mixed competitive inhibition, depending on the sequence. Our data revealed further the critical role of the last two basic amino acid residues (e.g. Lys(82)-Arg(83) for the mouse PC1/3 sequence) of the prodomain in imparting a strong anti-convertase activity. The study also establishes the inhibitory potential of certain regions contained within the prosegment of the two convertases.

Curbing activation: proprotein convertases in homeostasis and pathology

The proprotein convertases (PCs) are a seven-member family of endoproteases that activate proproteins by cleavage at basic motifs. Expression patterns for individual PCs vary widely, and all cells express several members. The list of substrates activated by PCs has grown to include neuropeptides, peptide hormones, growth and differentiation factors, receptors, enzymes, adhesion molecules, blood coagulation factors, plasma proteins, viral coat proteins, and bacterial toxins. It has become clear that the PC family plays a crucial role in a variety of physiological processes and is involved in the pathology of diseases such as cancer, viral infection, and Alzheimer's disease. Recent studies using PC inhibitors have demonstrated their potential as therapeutic targets. Despite the avalanche of in vitro data, the physiological role of individual PCs has remained largely elusive. Recently, however, knockout mouse models have been developed for furin, PC1, PC2, PC4, PC6B, LPC, and PACE4, and human patients with PC1 deficiency have been identified. The phenotypes range from undetectable to early embryonic lethality. The major lesson learned from these studies is that specific PC-substrate pairs do exist, but that there is substantial redundancy for the majority of substrates. To some extent, redundancy may be cell type and even species dependent.

trans-Complementation assay establishes the role of proregion hydrophobic amino acid residues in the biosynthesis of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Kex2p endoprotease

The proregion of Saccharomyces cerevisiae endoprotease Kex2p is essential for the biosynthesis of an active enzyme. It has been suggested that the proregion acts in the endoplasmic reticulum to catalyse folding of the enzyme. To identify amino acid residues important for proregion function, we used an in vivo system in which the Kex2p proregion can act in trans to activate a Kex2p enzyme synthesized without its proregion. Activation of Kex2p by wild-type and mutated proregions revealed the essential role of hydrophobic residues F(37), V(39) and F(70) in enzyme activation. Further exploration of the role of these residues by in vitro inhibition of Kex2p activity by its proregion indicated that they are essential to form the proregion/enzyme bimolecular complex. In contrast, basic residues K(108) and R(109), located in the C-terminus of the proregion, are not involved in complex formation but are necessary for the biosynthesis of an active enzyme.

Structure-function analysis of the prosegment of the proprotein convertase PC5A

To investigate if some residues within the prosegment of PC5A are important for its optimal proteolytic function, various PC5A mutants were cellularly expressed, and their processing activities were compared using pro-vascular endothelial growth factor C (pro-VEGF-C) as a substrate. Although wild type PC5A almost completely processes pro-VEGF-C, a prosegment deletion as well as both P1 mutants of the primary (R116A) and secondary (R84A) autocatalytic cleavage sites are inactive. The in vitro inhibitory potency of various decapeptides mimicking the C-terminal sequence of PC5 prosegment (pPC5) revealed that the native (107)QQVVKKRTKR(116) peptide is a nanomolar inhibitor, whereas its P6 mutant K111H is more selective toward PC5A than Furin. In vitro activity assays using the bacterially expressed pPC5 and its mutants revealed them to be very potent nanomolar inhibitors (IC(50)) and only approximately 6-fold more selective inhibitors of PC5A versus Furin. Expression of the preprosegment of PC5 (ppPC5) and its mutants in Chinese hamster ovary FD11 cells overexpressing pro-VEGF-C with either PC5A or Furin showed them to be as good inhibitors of PC5A as the serpin alpha1-antitrypsin Portland (alpha1-PDX), ppFurin, or ppPACE4 but less potent toward overexpressed Furin. In conclusion, cleavages of the prosegment of PC5A at both Arg(116) and Arg(84) are required for PC5A cellular activity, and ppPC5 is a very potent but modestly selective cellular inhibitor of PC5A.

Proprotein convertases in tumor progression and malignancy: novel targets in cancer therapy

The mammalian subtilisin/kexin-like proprotein convertase (PC) family has been implicated in the activation of a wide spectrum of proteins. These proteins are usually synthesized as inactive precursors before their conversion to fully mature bioactive forms. A large majority of these active proteins such as matrix metalloproteases, growth factors, and adhesion molecules are crucial in the processes of cellular transformation, acquisition of the tumorigenic phenotype, and metastases formation. Inhibition of PCs significantly affects the malignant phenotype of various tumor cells. In addition to direct tumor cell proliferation and migration blockade, PC inhibitors can also be used to target tumor angiogenesis. In this Review article we discuss a number of recent findings on the clinical relevance of PCs in cancer patients, their implication in the regulation of multiple cellular functions that impact on the invasive/metastatic potential of cancer cells. Thus, PC inhibitors may constitute new promising agents for the treatment of multiple tumors and/or in adjuvant therapy to prevent recurrence.

Inhibitory potency and specificity of subtilase-like pro-protein convertase (SPC) prodomains

The SPCs (subtilisin-like pro-protein convertases) are a family of enzymes responsible for the proteolytic processing of numerous precursor proteins of the constitutive and regulated secretory pathways. SPCs are themselves synthesized as inactive zymogens. Activation of SPCs occurs via the intramolecular autocatalytic removal of the prodomain. SPC prodomains have been proposed as templates in the development of potent and specific SPC inhibitors. In this study, we investigated the specificity and potency of complete prodomains and short C-terminal prodomain peptides of each SPC on highly purified, soluble enzyme preparations of human SPC1, SPC6, and SPC7. Progress curve kinetic analysis of prodomain peptides and complete prodomains showed competitive inhibitory profiles in the low nanomolar range. Complete prodomains were 5-100 times more potent than C-terminal prodomain peptides, suggesting that N-terminal determinants are involved in the recognition process. However, complete prodomains and prodomain peptides exhibit only a partial specificity toward their cognate enzyme. Ala-scan structure activity studies indicated the importance of basic residues in the P(4), P(5), and P(6) positions for inhibition of SPC1. In contrast, hydrophobic residues in P(6) and P(7), as well as basic residues in P(4) and P(5), were critical for inhibition of SPC7. Our data demonstrated that the use of prodomains as specific inhibitors acting in trans would be of limited usefulness, unless modified into more specific compounds.

Mechanism of Kex2p inhibition by its proregion

Many proteases are produced as zymogens bearing an N-terminal proregion acting both as intramolecular chaperone and as enzyme inhibitor. We studied here the inhibition mechanism of the yeast proprotein convertase Kex2p by its proregion. A recombinant secreted and soluble form of Kex2p was produced in Pichia pastoris and its enzymatic properties toward a fluorogenic synthetic peptide were characterized. Recombinant Escherichia coli-produced Kex2p proregion specifically and potently inhibited the enzyme, with an IC(50) of 160 nM. Exploration of the inhibition mechanism revealed that the proregion behaved as a mixed inhibitor.

The contribution of arginine residues within the P6-P1 region of alpha 1-antitrypsin to its reaction with furin

A series of mutants incorporating furin recognition sequences within the P6-P1 region of the reactive site loop of alpha(1)-antitrypsin were constructed. Variants containing different combinations of basic residues in the P1, P2, P4, and P6 positions replacing the wild type (P6)LEAIPM(P1) sequence were evaluated for their capacity to establish SDS-resistant complexes with furin, to affect association rate constants (k(ass) and k'(ass)), or to inhibit furin-dependent proteolysis of a model precursor in vivo. Each variant abolished processing of pro-von Willebrand factor in transfected hEK293 cells. The k(ass) of all variants were found to be similar (1.1-1.7 x 10(6) m(-1) s(-1)) except for one mutant, RERIRR, which had a k(ass) of 3.3 x 10(5) m(-1) s(-1). However, the stoichiometry of inhibition varied with values ranging from 2.9 to >24, indicating rapid formation of the acyl-enzyme intermediate (high k'(ass)). Moreover, those variants having high stoichiometry of inhibition values were accompanied by the rapid formation of cleaved forms of the inhibitors. The data suggest that the rate of conversion of the acyl-enzyme (EI') into the highly stable complex (EI*) was affected by replacement of specific residues within the reactive site loop. Taken together, the results reveal how furin recognition sequences within the context of the biochemical properties of serpins will play a role in the capacity of the protein to follow either the inhibitory or the substrate pathway.

Inhibitory specificity and potency of proSAAS-derived peptides toward proprotein convertase 1

Prohormone convertase 1 (PC1), mediating the proteolytic processing of neural and endocrine precursors, is thought to be regulated by the neuroendocrine protein proSAAS. The PC1 inhibitory sequence is mostly confined within a 10-12-amino acid segment near the C terminus of the conserved human proSAAS and contains the critical KR(244) dibasic motif. Our results show that the decapeptide proSAAS-(235-244)( 235)VLGALLRVKR(244) is the most potent reversible competitive PC1-inhibitor (K(i) approximately 9 nm). The C-terminally extended proSAAS-(235-246) exhibits a 5-6-fold higher K(i) ( approximately 51 nm). The additional LE sequence at P1'-P2', resulted in a competitive substrate cleaved by PC1 at KR(244) downward arrowLE(246). Systematic alanine scanning and in some cases lysine scanning tested the contribution of each residue within proSAAS-(235-246) toward the PC1-inhibition's specificity and potency. The amino acids P1 Arg, P2 Lys, and P4 Arg are all critical for inhibition. Moreover, the aliphatic P3 Val and P5, P6, and P1' Leu significantly affect the degree of enzyme inactivation and PC1 specificity. Interestingly, a much longer N- and C-terminally extended endogenous rat proSAAS-(221-254) called little PenLen, was found to be a 3-fold less potent PC1 inhibitor with reduced selectivity but a much better substrate than proSAAS-(235-246). Molecular modeling studies and circular dichroism analysis indicate an extended and poly-l-proline II type structural conformation for proSAAS-(235-244), the most potent PC1 inhibitor, a feature not present in poor PC1 inhibitors.

Neuroendocrine secretory protein 7B2: structure, expression and functions

7B2 is an acidic protein residing in the secretory granules of neuroendocrine cells. Its sequence has been elucidated in many phyla and species. It shows high similarity among mammals. A Pro-Pro-Asn-Pro-Cys-Pro polyproline motif is its most conserved feature, being carried by both vertebrate and invertebrate sequences. It is biosynthesized as a precursor protein that is cleaved into an N-terminal fragment and a C-terminal peptide. In neuroendocrine cells, 7B2 functions as a specific chaperone for the proprotein convertase (PC) 2. Through the sequence around its Pro-Pro-Asn-Pro-Cys-Pro motif, it binds to an inactive proPC2 and facilitates its transport from the endoplasmic reticulum to later compartments of the secretory pathway where the zymogen is proteolytically matured and activated. Its C-terminal peptide can inhibit PC2 in vitro and may contribute to keep the enzyme transiently inactive in vivo. The PC2-7B2 model defines a new neuroendocrine paradigm whereby proteolytic activation of prohormones and proneuropeptides in the secretory pathway is spatially and temporally regulated by the dynamics of interactions between converting enzymes and their binding proteins. Interestingly, unlike PC2-null mice, which are viable, 7B2-null mutants die early in life from Cushing's disease due to corticotropin ('ACTH') hypersecretion by the neurointermediate lobe, suggesting a possible involvement of 7B2 in secretory granule formation and in secretion regulation. The mechanism of this regulation is yet to be elucidated. 7B2 has been shown to be a good marker of several neuroendocrine cell dysfunctions in humans. The possibility that anomalies in its structure and expression could be aetiological causes of some of these dysfunctions warrants investigation.

HreP, an in vivo-expressed protease of Yersinia enterocolitica, is a new member of the family of subtilisin/kexin-like proteases

The role of proteases in pathogenesis is well established for several microorganisms but has not been described for Yersinia enterocolitica. Previously, we identified a gene, hreP, which showed significant similarity to proteases in a screen for chromosomal genes of Y. enterocolitica that were exclusively expressed during an infection of mice. We cloned this gene by chromosome capture and subsequently determined its nucleotide sequence. Like inv, the gene encoding the invasin protein of Y. enterocolitica, hreP is located in a cluster of flagellum biosynthesis and chemotaxis genes. The genomic organization of this chromosomal region is different in Escherichia coli, Salmonella, and Yersinia pestis than in Y. enterocolitica. Analysis of the distribution of hreP between different Yersinia isolates and the relatively low G+C content of the gene suggests acquisition by horizontal gene transfer. Sequence analysis also revealed that HreP belongs to a family of eukaryotic subtilisin/kexin-like proteases. Together with the calcium-dependent protease PrcA of Anabaena variabilis, HreP forms a new subfamily of bacterial subtilisin/kexin-like proteases which might have originated from a common eukaryotic ancestor. Like other proteases of this family, HreP is expressed with an N-terminal prosequence. Expression of an HreP-His(6) tag fusion protein in E. coli revealed that HreP undergoes autocatalytic processing at a consensus cleavage site of subtilisin/kexin-like proteases, thereby releasing the proprotein.

Processing and sorting of the prohormone convertase 2 propeptide

The prohormone convertases (PCs) are synthesized as zymogens whose propeptides contain several multibasic sites. In this study, we investigated the processing of the PC2 propeptide and its function in the regulation of PC2 activity. By using purified pro-PC2 and directed mutagenesis, we found that the propeptide is first cleaved at the multibasic site separating it from the catalytic domain (primary cleavage site); the intact propeptide thus generated is then sequentially processed at two internal sites. Unlike the mechanism described for furin, our mutagenesis studies show that internal cleavage of the propeptide is not required for activation of pro-PC2. In addition, we identified a point mutation in the primary cleavage site that does not prevent the folding nor the processing of the zymogen but nevertheless results in the generation of an inactive PC2 species. These data suggest that the propeptide cleavage site is directly involved in the folding of the catalytic site. By using synthetic peptides, we found that a PC2 propeptide fragment inhibits PC2 activity, and we identified the inhibitory site as the peptide sequence containing basic residues at the extreme carboxyl terminus of the primary cleavage site. Finally, our study supplies information concerning the intracellular fate of a convertase propeptide by providing evidence that the PC2 propeptide is generated and is internally processed within the secretory granules. In agreement with this localization, an internally cleaved propeptide fragment could be released by stimulated secretion.

The C-terminal region of proSAAS is a potent inhibitor of prohormone convertase 1

ProSAAS is a recently discovered 26-kDa neuroendocrine protein that was previously found to inhibit prohormone convertase (PC) 1 and not PC2. In the present study, the specificity of proSAAS toward other members of the prohormone convertase family was determined. Two microm proSAAS selectively inhibits PC1 but not furin, PACE4, PC5A, or PC7. The PC1 inhibitory region of proSAAS was mapped to an 8-12-residue region near the C terminus that includes a critical Lys-Arg sequence. Synthetic peptides corresponding to this region are competitive inhibitors of PC1 with apparent K(i) values of 14-40 nm. The inhibition becomes more effective with incubation time, indicating that the inhibitor is slow binding. A fusion protein containing the inhibitory region of proSAAS linked to the C terminus of glutathione S-transferase binds the 71-kDa form but not the 85-kDa form of PC1. This binding, which occurs at pH 5.5 and not at pH 7.4, is stable to incubation at room temperature for 1 h in the presence or absence of 0.5% Triton X-100 and/or 0.5 m NaCl. The removal of Ca(2+) with chelating agents partially releases the bound PC1. High concentrations of the inhibitory peptide quantitatively release the bound PC1. Taken together, these data support the proposal that proSAAS functions as an endogenous inhibitor of PC1.