Kex2-like endoproteases involved in processing of precursors for bioactive peptides and proteins.

Abstract

Endoproteolytic processing of precursor proteins typically at specific pairs of basic amino acids is a key step in the production of bioactive peptides and proteins. The endrproteases involved in this process belong to a new family of Ca2⁺ -dependent serine proteases related to the yeast Kex2 protease. These include furin, PC2, PC3, PC4, PACE4 and PC6, all of which have been characterized structurally and functionally.