Michel Chrétien

Proprotein and prohormone convertases: a family of subtilases generating diverse bioactive polypeptides.

Proproteins and prohormones are the fundamental units from which bioactive proteins and peptides as well as neuropeptides are derived by limited proteolysis within the secretory pathway. Precursors are usually cleaved at the general motif (K/R)--(X)n--(K/R)down arrow, where n=0, 2, 4 or 6 and X is any amino acid and usually is not a Cys. Seven mammalian precursor convertases (PCs) have been identified: PC1, PC2, furin, PC4, PC5, PACE4 and PC7. Each of these enzymes, either alone or in combination with others, is responsible for the tissue-specific processing of multiple polypeptide precursors both in the brain and in periphery. This combinatorial mechanism generates a large diversity of bioactive molecules in an exquisitively regulated manner. The production of null mice allowed the assessment of the critical role of convertases in vivo. Thus, male PC4 (-/-) mice are infertile, furin (-/-) and PC1(-/-) mice are embryonic lethal, and PC2 (-/-) mice are mildly diabetic and runted. Interestingly, animals deficient in 7B2, a PC2-specific binding protein, exhibit a Cushing-like syndrome and die soon after birth. Recently, the first member of a new class of subtilisin--kexin-like convertases, called SKI-1, was identified. Its structure is closer to pyrolysin than to mammalian PCs and it exhibits a specificity for cleavage at the motif (R/K)--X--X--(L,T) down arrow as deduced from its ability to process sterol regulatory element binding proteins and pro-brain derived neurotrophic factor. Thus, while PCs are responsible for the processing of neuropeptides, adhesion molecules, receptors, growth factors, cell surface glycoprotein and enzymes, SKI-1 cleaves proproteins that are critical for the control of cholesterol and fatty acid metabolism and for neuronal protection and growth.

PCSK9 is phosphorylated by a Golgi casein kinase-like kinase ex vivo and circulates as a phosphoprotein in humans

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexinu20039 (PCSK9) is a secreted glycoprotein that regulates the degradation of the low‐density lipoprotein receptor. Single nucleotide polymorphisms in its gene associate with both hypercholesterolemia and hypocholesterolemia, and studies have shown a significant reduction in the risk of coronary heart disease for ‘loss‐of‐function’ PCSK9 carriers. Previously, we reported that proPCSK9 undergoes autocatalytic processing of its prodomain in the endoplasmic reticulum and that its inhibitory prosegment remains associated with it following secretion. Herein, we used a combination of mass spectrometry and radiolabeling to report that PCSK9 is phosphorylated at two sites: Ser47 in its propeptide and Ser688 in its C‐terminal domain. Site‐directed mutagenesis suggested that a Golgi casein kinase‐like kinase is responsible for PCSK9 phosphorylation, based on the consensus site, SXE/S(p). PCSK9 phosphorylation was cell‐type specific and occurs physiologically because human plasma PCSK9 is phosphorylated. Interestingly, we show that the naturally occurring ‘loss‐of‐function’ variant PCSK9(R46L) exhibits significantly decreased propeptide phosphorylation in the Huh7 liver cell line by 34% (Pu2003<u20030.0001). PCSK9(R46L) and the engineered, unphosphorylated variant PCSK9(E49A) are cleaved following Ser47, suggesting that phosphorylation protects the propeptide against proteolysis. Phosphorylation may therefore play an important regulatory role in PCSK9 function. These findings will be important for the future design of PCSK9 inhibitors.

The missing fragment of the pro-sequence of human pro-opiomelanocortin: Sequence and evidence for C-terminal amidation

Summary This paper describes the isolation and sequence characterization of the joining peptide segment occuring between the human N-terminal sequence and the adrenocorticotropin one in the pro-opiomelanocortin precursor. It is shown that the isolated peptide is 30 residues long as compared to the expected 31 residues from the genomic DNA sequence. The missing Gly residue is situated at the carboxyterminus, and its cleavage generated a peptide amidated at its carboxy-terminal glutamic acid. A general model for the maturation of the pro-opiomelanocortin molecule is presented, emphasizing the highly selective nature of the maturation enzyme(s) cleaving exclusively at the pair of basic residues Lys-Arg in the human pituitary.

The complete sequence of a novel human pituitary glycopeptide homologous to pig posterior pituitary glycopeptide.

Summary The isolation and complete purification of a novel human pituitary glycopeptide (HPGP) from whole pituitaries is described. Amino acid composition predicts a glycopeptide rich in glucosamine. Complete sequence determination showed it to be a 39 residues with an oligosaccharide chain attached at Asn residue No. 6. It exhibits marked sequence homology to previously isolated pig posterior pituitary glycopeptide and to whole pituitary glycopeptides isolated from ox, sheep and pig. Based on these results and the presence of such a peptide in posterior pituitary it is suggested that it could form part of the N-terminal glycopeptide extension of the precursor of neurophysin-arginine vasopressin.

Enzymic characterization in vitro of recombinant proprotein convertase PC4.

Proprotein convertase PC4A, a member of the subtilisin/kexin family of serine proteases, was obtained in enzymically active form following expression of vaccinia virus recombinant rat (r)PC4A in GH4C1 cells. It displayed maximal activity at pH 7.0 and a Ca(2+) concentration of 2.0 mM. Using PC4-specific antibodies, Western blot analysis of the medium revealed a major band at approximately 54 kDa, corresponding to the molecular size of mature rPC4A. Among the various peptidyl-[4-methylcoumarin 7-amide (MCA)] substrates tested, the one that was preferred the most by rPC4A was acetyl (Ac)-Arg-Lys-Lys-Arg-MCA, which is cleaved 9 times faster (as judged from V(max)/K(m) measurements) than the best furin and PC1 substrate, pGlu-Arg-Thr-Lys-Arg-MCA. Recombinant rPC4A, along with human (h)furin and hPC1, cleaved a 17-amino-acid synthetic peptide, YQTLRRRVKR downward arrowSLVVPTD (where downward arrow denotes site of cleavage, and the important basic residues are shown in bold), encompassing the junction between the putative pro-segment of rPC4A and the active enzyme, suggesting a possible auto-activation of the enzyme. In an effort to identify potential physiological substrates for PC4, studies were performed with pro-[insulin-growth-factor (IGF)]-derived synthetic peptides, namely Ac-PAKSAR downward arrowSVRA (IGF-I(66-75)) and Ac-PAKSER downward arrowDVST (IGF-II(63-72)), as well as two lysine mutants [(IGF-I(66-75)Lys(70)) and (IGF-II(63-72)Lys(67))]. Unlike PC1 and furin, rPC4A cleaved efficiently both IGF-I(66-75) and IGF-II(63-72), suggesting a possible role of PC4 in the maturation of IGF-I and -II. In contrast, the peptides with a position 2 (P2) lysine mutation, IGF-I(66-75)Lys(70) and IGF-II(63-72)Lys(67), were cleaved more efficiently by PC1 and furin compared with rPC4A. Furthermore, using synthetic peptides containing the processing sites of pituitary adenylate-cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP)-38, we were able to confirm that, of the two testicular enzymes PC4 and PC7, PC4 is the best candidate enzyme for maturation of PACAP. Our data suggest that rPC4A is a functionally active convertase, with a substrate specificity somewhat different from that of other convertases, namely KXXR downward arrow (where X denotes any other residue). As expected, p-chloromercuribenzoic acid and metal chelators such as EDTA, EGTA and trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane-N,N,N, N-tetraacetic acid inhibit the proteolytic activity of rPC4A, whereas it is activated by dithiothreitol. PC4A was also inhibited by transition-metal ions (Cu(2+)>Hg(2+)>Zn(2+) Ni(2+)>Co(2+)), as well as by small peptide semicarbazones (SCs), such as Arg-Lys-Lys-Arg-SC (K(i) 0.75 microM) and Arg-Ser-Lys-Arg-SC (K(i) 11.4 microM).

Gawk, a novel human pituitary polypeptide: Isolation, immunocytochemical localization and complete amino acid sequence

During the course of reverse-phase high pressure liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) purification of a postulated big ACTH (1) from human pituitary gland extracts, a highly purified peptide bearing no resemblance to any known polypeptide was isolated. The complete sequence of this 74 amino acid polypeptide, called GAWK, has been determined. Search on a computer data bank on the possible homology to any known protein or fragment, using a mutation data matrix, failed to reveal any homology greater than 30%. An antibody produced against a synthetic fragment allowed us to detect several immunoreactive forms. The antisera also enabled us to localize the polypeptide, by immunocytochemistry, in the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland.

Regional distribution of a novel pituitary protein (7B2) in the rat brain.

The regional distribution of a novel pituitary protein (7B2) in the rat brain was studied using a specific and sensitive radioimmunoassay. Immunoreactive (IR)-7B2 was distributed throughout the brain, with the highest concentrations in the pituitary, hypothalamus and basal ganglia. Immunoreactive 7B2 from the brain and other tissues had an apparent molecular weight of around 20,000 as estimated by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis as observed with other tissues. In homozygous Brattleboro rats which do not synthesize vasopressin or its associated neurophysin, IR-7B2 levels in the brain and pituitary gland were shown to be similar to those of control animals. Furthermore, the molecular weight of 7B2 in the brain and pituitary gland of homozygous Brattleboro rats was similar to that of control animals.

pH-induced conformational transitions of a molten–globule–like state of the inhibitory prodomain of furin: Implications for zymogen activation

The endoprotease furin, which belongs to the family of mammalian proprotein convertase (PC), is synthesized as a zymogen with an N‐terminal, 81‐residue inhibitory prodomain. It has been shown that the proenzyme form of furin undergoes a multistep ‘autocatalytic’ removal of the prodomain at the C‐terminal side of the two consensus sites, R78‐T‐K‐R81∼ and R44‐G‐V‐T‐K‐R49∼. The furin‐mediated cleavage at R44‐G‐V‐T‐K‐R49∼, in particular, is significantly accelerated in an ‘acidic’ environment. Here, we show that under neutral pH conditions, the inhibitory prodomain of furin is partially folded and undergoes conformational exchanges as indicated by extensive broadening of the NMR spectra. Presence of many ring‐current shifted methyl resonances suggests that the partially folded state of the prodomain may still possess a ‘semirigid’ protein core with specific packing interactions among amino acid side chains. Measurements of the hydrodynamic radii and compaction factors indicate that this partially folded state is significantly more compact than a random chain. The conformational stability of the prodomain appears to be pH sensitive, in that the prodomain undergoes an unfolding transition towards acidic conditions. Our NMR analyses establish that the acid‐induced unfolding is mainly experienced by the residues from the C‐terminal half of the prodomain (residues R44–R81) that contains the two furin cleavage sites. A 38‐residue peptide fragment derived from the entire pH‐sensitive C‐terminal region (residues R44–R81) does not exhibit any exchange‐induced line broadening and adopts flexible conformations. We propose that at neutral pH, the cleavage site R44‐G‐V‐T‐K‐R49∼ is buried within the protein core that is formed in part by residues from the N‐terminal region, and that the cleavage site becomes exposed under acidic conditions, leading to a facile cleavage by the furin enzyme.

Purification of radiolabeled and native polypeptides by gel permeation high-performance liquid chromatography

Abstract Some results and observations concerning the use of protein columns are presented. The combined use of four protein columns having different fractionation ranges together with a volatile triethylamine formate buffer allowed the sieving of various polypeptides according to their molecular weights over a range of 500 to 150,000. The addition of 4 or 6 m guanidine-HCl permitted the reduction of aggregation with no sacrifice in resolution or linearity. With that denaturant, rapid separation, and molecular weight determination in the range 500–90,000 is easily accomplished. Moreover, sample recoveries as determined with radiolabeled proteins always exceeded 70% while radioimmunoassay techniques can be directly applied to the column eluate. Applications to quick identification of natural fragments of a serine protease, tonin, analysis of maturation products of pro-opiomelanocortin in an in vitro pulse experiment and finally quantitation by radioimmunoassays of pituitary peptides and elution of their 125I-labeled derivatives are described.