Les convertases des prohormones et le système nerveux

Abstract

Active neuropeptides are produced through the processing of pro-proteins at pairs of basic amino acids (lysine and arginine). The enzymes responsible for the cleavage of pro-proteins (convertases) have been recently discovered and characterized. Enzymatic properties of two of them (PC1 and PC2) have been demonstrated based on the cleavage of pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) and luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH), as model substrates. The mammalian convertases PC1 and PC2 were found to be expressed in neurons of the central and peripheral nervous systems. In these tissues PC1 and PC2 are likely responsible for the correct and sufficient production of a wide variety of tissue-specific neuropeptides and proteins.