Proprotein convertase genes in Xenopus development

Dev Dyn. 2005 Jul;233(3):1038-44. doi: 10.1002/dvdy.20378.

Abstract

Proprotein convertases (PCs) are a family of serine endoproteases that proteolytically activate many precursor proteins within various secretory pathway compartments. Loss-of-function studies have demonstrated a critical role for these proteases in embryonic patterning and adult homeostasis, yet little is known about how substrate selectivity is achieved. We have identified Xenopus orthologs of three PCs: furin, PC6, and PC4. In addition to previously described isoforms of PC6 and furin, four novel splice isoforms of PC6, which are predicted to encode constitutively secreted proteases, and a putative transmembrane isoform of PC4 were identified. Furin and PC6 are expressed in dynamic, tissue-specific patterns throughout embryogenesis, whereas PC4 transcripts are restricted primarily to germ cells and brain in adult frogs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Embryo, Nonmammalian / embryology
  • Embryo, Nonmammalian / metabolism
  • Furin / chemistry
  • Furin / genetics
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental*
  • Germ Cells / metabolism
  • Isoenzymes / chemistry
  • Isoenzymes / genetics
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Proprotein Convertases / chemistry
  • Proprotein Convertases / genetics*
  • Sequence Alignment
  • Xenopus laevis / embryology*
  • Xenopus laevis / genetics*

Substances

  • Isoenzymes
  • Proprotein Convertases
  • Furin

Associated data

  • GENBANK/AY901983
  • GENBANK/AY901984
  • GENBANK/AY901985
  • GENBANK/AY901986
  • GENBANK/AY901987
  • GENBANK/AY901988
  • GENBANK/AY901989
  • GENBANK/AY901990