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Molecular mechanisms for the conversion of zymogens to active proteolytic enzymes.

ABSTRACT: Proteolytic enzymes are synthesized as inactive precursors, or "zymogens," to prevent unwanted protein degradation, and to enable spatial and temporal regulation of proteolytic activity. Upon sorting or appropriate compartmentalization, zymogen conversion to the active enzyme typically involves limited proteolysis and removal of an "activation segment." The sizes of activation segments range from dipeptide units to independently folding domains comprising more than 100 residues. A common form of the activation segment is an N-terminal extension of the mature enzyme, or "prosegment," that sterically blocks the active site, and thereby prevents binding of substrates. In addition to their inhibitory role, prosegments are frequently important for the folding, stability, and/or intracellular sorting of the zymogen. The mechanisms of conversion to active enzymes are diverse in nature, ranging from enzymatic or nonenzymatic cofactors that trigger activation, to a simple change in pH that results in conversion by an autocatalytic mechanism. Recent X-ray crystallographic studies of zymogens and comparisons with their active counterparts have identified the structural changes that accompany conversion. This review will focus upon the structural basis for inhibition by activation segments, as well as the molecular events that lead to the conversion of zymogens to active enzymes.

SUBMITTER: Khan AR

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2143990 | biostudies-other | 1998 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other

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Molecular mechanisms for the conversion of zymogens to active proteolytic enzymes.

Khan A R AR James M N MN

Protein science : a publication of the Protein Society 19980401 4

Proteolytic enzymes are synthesized as inactive precursors, or "zymogens," to prevent unwanted protein degradation, and to enable spatial and temporal regulation of proteolytic activity. Upon sorting or appropriate compartmentalization, zymogen conversion to the active enzyme typically involves limited proteolysis and removal of an "activation segment." The sizes of activation segments range from dipeptide units to independently folding domains comprising more than 100 residues. A common form of ...[more]

PMID: 9568890

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Project description:Background: Adipose tissue-derived stromal cells (ATSCs) hold great promises in regenerative medicine, due to their easy retrieval, high proliferative capacity, and multi-lineage differentiation potential. In the last decade, several studies have reported the plasticity of ATSCs toward a hepatic fate. Nonetheless, the molecular mechanisms underlying the conversion from a mesenchymal to an epithelial phenotype remain poorly understood. Aim: In this study, we compared the full genome expression profiles of ATSCs cultured for 4 weeks under pro-hepatogenic conditions to undifferentiated ATSCs, in order to depict the molecular events involved in ATSC hepatic transdifferentiation. Methods: Molecular analysis was performed using the Affymetrix human focus arrays. Sets of differentially expressed genes were functionally categorized in order to understand which pathways drive the hepatic conversion and interesting target genes were validated by Q-PCR. Results: We showed that ATSC-derived hepatocyte-like cells activate several genes associated with specific liver functions, including protein metabolism, innate immune response regulation, and biodegradation of toxic compounds. Furthermore, microarray analysis highlighted the downregulation of several transcripts involved in stemness maintenance along with genes associated with a mesenchymal phenotype. Conclusion: Taken together, our data suggest that the in vitro system used in this study drove ATSCs toward a hepatic conversion through a subtle regulation of molecular pathways controlling stem cell properties and lineage commitment that promote mesenchymal-epithelial-transition. Adipose tissue was obtained from 3 patients undergoing partial abdominoplasty. Adipose tissue-derived stromal cells (ATSC) were isolated according to standard procedures, using the in vitro adherence property of these cells. At passage culture 4, ATSC were submitted to an in vitro hepatogenic regimen, consisting of the sequential addition of growth factors. After 1 month of in vitro differentiation, cells were harvested and their transcriptome was compared to control ATSC.

Dataset Information

Molecular mechanisms for the conversion of zymogens to active proteolytic enzymes.

Publications

Molecular mechanisms for the conversion of zymogens to active proteolytic enzymes.

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