PEPD : peptidase D
Description
The PEPD (peptidase D) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 19.
The PEPD gene encodes prolidase, an enzyme that breaks down certain dipeptides, molecules composed of two amino acids. Specifically, prolidase cleaves dipeptides containing proline or hydroxyproline, making these amino acids available for protein synthesis. It's also involved in the breakdown of dietary proteins and those no longer needed by the body. Prolidase is crucial for breaking down collagens, a family of proteins rich in proline and hydroxyproline, which form the extracellular matrix that supports connective tissues like skin, bone, cartilage, tendons, and ligaments.
PEPD catalyzes the breakdown of dipeptides containing proline or hydroxyproline at the C-terminal position. It prefers Gly-Pro but can also cleave other Xaa-Pro dipeptides, including Ala-Pro, Met-Pro, Phe-Pro, Val-Pro, and Leu-Pro. PEPD plays a crucial role in collagen metabolism due to the high levels of proline and hydroxyproline in collagen.
PEPD is also known as PROLIDASE.
