Author : Abdel-Majid Khatib
Publisher : Morgan & Claypool Publishers
ISBN 13 : 1615045368
Total Pages : 89 pages
Book Rating : 4.6/5 (15 download)
Book Synopsis The Proprotein Convertases by : Abdel-Majid Khatib
Download or read book The Proprotein Convertases written by Abdel-Majid Khatib and published by Morgan & Claypool Publishers. This book was released on 2013-02 with total page 89 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Proprotein convertases (PCs) are a family of proteases including PC1, PC2, Furin, PC4, PACE4, PC5, and PC7. These enzymes are involved in the maturation of many precursor proteins involved in the process of tumorigenesis and metastasis. Since their discovery, PCs were suggested as potential targets for anti-cancer therapy, and their activity was found to directly affect tumor cell proliferation, migration invasion, and the malignant phenotypes of tumor cells. Here, we discuss a number of previous and recent findings on the PCs features, their implication in the regulation of multiple cellular functions that impact on the invasive/metastatic potential of cancer cells, and their clinical relevance in cancer patients. Among the substrates of the proprotein convertases, various growth factors, their receptors, adhesion molecules, and proteases were identified. The PCs are inhibited by endogenous and exogenous inhibitors. To date, only pro7B2, a specific chaperone of PC2, and the granine-like precursor of neuroendocrine protein proSAAS, a selective ligand of PC1, have been identified as endogenous inhibitors of the PCs found in the regulated pathway. However, only PCs prosegments, several bioengineered inhibitors, peptides, and non-peptide compounds were found to inhibit the activity of the PCs found in the secretory pathway.