title: Cell-specific processing of pro-cholecystokinin and pro-gastrin.
abstract: The present review argues that the gastrin-cholecystokinin family is a suitable model for the study of cell-specific processing of pro-hormones. First, the homologous active site of the hormones is a precisely defined tetrapeptide amide, which is well preserved during evolution. Second, the genes of both hormones are translated in a variety of cells (neurons, endocrine cells, paracrine cells, lymphocytes, etc,), but to a varying degree during ontogenesis and pathogenesis of various diseases. Third, each pro-hormone contains multiple processing sites (mono- and dibasic cleavage sites, amidation sites and consensus sequences for seryl phosphorylation and tyrosyl sulfation) leaving ample room for variations in the post-translational processing. The review discusses examples of cell-specific processing that appears to be functionally expedient.
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D002766:Cholecystokinin / Q000235:genetics; D005755:Gastrins / Q000235:genetics*; D005796:Genes; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009928:Organ Specificity; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000235:genetics*; D011499:Protein Processing, Post-Translational
chemical_list: D005755:Gastrins; D011498:Protein Precursors; C013706:big gastrin; C042082:preprocholecystokinin; D002766:Cholecystokinin