title: Novel human proalbumin variant with intact dibasic sequence facilitates identification of its converting enzyme.
abstract: We describe here the identification of a new genetic variant of human proalbumin with an N-terminal sequence of Arg-Gly-Val-Phe-Arg-Arg-Val-Ala-His-Lys-. Proalbumin Blenheim (10%) and mature albumin Blenheim (38%) with an initial sequence of Val-Ala-His-Lys-make up nearly half the serum albumin in affected individuals. Despite retaining an intact dibasic processing site, proalbumin Blenheim (1 Asp----Val) enters the circulation unprocessed. The observed ratio of proalbumin to albumin can be accounted for by proteolysis in the periphery. Employed as a potential substrate, proalbumin Blenheim provides a unique means of identifying the physiologically relevant proalbumin convertase. In vitro studies showed that the variant is readily cleaved by trypsin. However, it is not cleaved by the proposed proalbumin convertase, a membrane-bound Ca2+-dependent proteinase prepared from rat liver Golgi vesicles, which gives authentic cleavage of normal human proalbumin.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Christchurch Hospital, New Zealand.
authors.forename: S O
authors.initials: SO
authors.lastname: Brennan
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Peach
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Boswell
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001224:Aspartic Acid; D002852:Chromatography, Ion Exchange; D004587:Electrophoresis, Agar Gel; D010450:Endopeptidases / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006056:Golgi Apparatus / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011228:Prealbumin / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D051381:Rats; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014633:Valine
chemical_list: D011228:Prealbumin; D012709:Serum Albumin; D001224:Aspartic Acid; D010450:Endopeptidases; C060483:proalbumin convertase, mammalian; D014633:Valine