Localization of Kex2-like processing endoproteases, furin and PC4, within mouse testis by in situ hybridization.
By in situ hybridization analysis, we show here the localization of furin and PC4, which are both members of a growing family of endoproteases structurally related to the yeast precursor processing protease Kex2, within mouse testis. Furin transcript was detected in both germ and somatic cells, while PC4 transcript was found only in round spermatids. Proenkephalin transcript was also localized in round spermatids. These observations suggest that, within testis, PC4 is involved in processing of peptide precursors such as proenkephalin and may play a role in regulation of sperm maturation, while furin may serve as a more general processing endoprotease.
Torii
S
S
Institute of Applied Biochemistry, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.
Yamagishi
T
T
Murakami
K
K
Nakayama
K
K
D000818:Animals; D004247:DNA; D004745:Enkephalins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D045683:Furin; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D043484:Proprotein Convertases; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011499:Protein Processing, Post-Translational; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D013381:Subtilisins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D013737:Testis / Q000201:enzymology*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D004745:Enkephalins; D011498:Protein Precursors; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins; C029992:proenkephalin; D004247:DNA; C489717:Pcsk4 protein, mouse; D043484:Proprotein Convertases; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases; D013381:Subtilisins; C058751:KEX2 protein, S cerevisiae; D045683:Furin