Proprotein Convertase 4 Antibody

Proprotein Convertase, Subtilisin/Kexin-Type, 4, is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the PCSK4 gene. The gene was mapped to mouse chromosome 10, close to the adipsin locus and near the gene encoding anti-mullerian hormone. Qiu et al.(2005) found that aberrant processing of pro-IGF2 may be a cause of IUGR. PCSK4 cleaved pro-IGF2 to generate the intermediate processed form, IGF2(1-102). Mature IGF2(1-67), likely resulting from further processing by carboxypeptidases, is capable of activating invasive trophoblast cells through AKT phosphorylation. Inhibition of the protein by a PCSK4-specific inhibitor blocked pro-IGF2 processing and reduced trophoblast cell migration.