PCSK2
Description
The PCSK2 (proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 2) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 20.
PCSK2, also known as proprotein convertase 2 (PC2), prohormone convertase 2, or neuroendocrine convertase 2 (NEC2), is a serine protease responsible for the first step in the maturation of many neuroendocrine peptides from their precursors. This includes the conversion of proinsulin to insulin intermediates. However, PC2 plays a minor role in insulin biosynthesis compared to PC1. PC2 is crucial in the first step of glucagon biosynthesis, exceeding the role of PC1. The activation of PC2 requires binding to the neuroendocrine protein 7B2, which prevents aggregation of proPC2 into inactive forms and inhibits PC2 activity until it is cleaved into smaller inactive forms. Thus, 7B2 acts as both an activator and an inhibitor of PC2. PC2 has been identified in several animals, including C. elegans. In humans, proprotein convertase 2 is encoded by the PCSK2 gene.
PCSK2 is also known as NEC 2, NEC-2, NEC2, PC2, SPC2.
