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Recent studies conducted at the Institut de recherches cliniques deMontreal (IRCM) on a group of PCSK enzymes could have a positiveimpact on health, from cholesterol to osteoporosis . A team led by Dr. Nabil G. Seidah, Director of the BiochemicalNeuroendocrinology research unit, has published six articles inprestigious scientific journals over the past four months, allshedding light on novel functions of certain PCSK enzymes. PCSK enzymes belong to the proprotein convertase family,responsible for the conversion of an inactive protein into itsactive state. The latest projects led by Dr. Seidah and his teamfocused on five of the nine PCSK enzymes, which are implicated indiseases such as cardiovascular and neuroendocrine disorders, cancer , and viral infections. PCSK9 could help lower bad cholesterol levels A member of the proprotein convertase family, PCSK9 plays a keyrole in the regulation of cholesterol. It is involved in causingfamilial hypercholesterolemia, a genetic disorder characterized byhigh total cholesterol levels in the blood, specifically very highlevels of LDL (low-density lipoprotein) or bad cholesterol, whichcan lead to the early onset of cardiovascular diseases. PCSK9 isthus a target for the treatment of dyslipidemia, which results froman abnormal concentration of lipids (fat) in the blood. It isbelieved that inhibition of PCSK9 function could lowerLDL-cholesterol levels, and such treatments are currentlyundergoing early phase clinical trials. "Members of my team, led by Dr. Annik Prat and Dr. Anna Roubtsova,discovered that PCSK9 also regulates fatty acids," explains Dr.Seidah. "They investigated its role in the metabolism of body fat,and found that PCSK9 is pivotal in regulating cholesterol and fatmetabolism: it maintains high circulating cholesterol levels, butit also limits fat generation." In another study, the researchers uncovered further data on PCSK9'smechanism of action and functional structure. Their data showedthat a part of PCSK9 inhibits its own function, and that acidic pHlevels affect the degradation of bad cholesterol receptors. In a third study, the team discovered that two other PCSK enzymes,Furin (PCSK3) and PC5/6 (PCSK5), reduce the level of active PCSK9."They were able to demonstrate how enzymes of the PCSK familycommunicate with one another and found that liver-derived Furincuts PCSK9 and inactivates it," adds Dr. Seidah. "This providedgenetic evidence for the mechanism behind the functioning of amutant gene found in some human hypercholesterolemic patients." An important enzyme for osteoporosis, especially for women aftermenopause The eighth member of the family (PCSK8), known as SKI-1/S1P, iscritical in the intracellular pathway leading to the synthesis ofcholesterol and fatty acids. Researchers discovered a new functionof the enzyme in the regulation of bone formation. Theydemonstrated that mineralization - the process by which the bodyuses minerals to build bone structure - was blocked by inhibitorsof SKI-1/S1P. "The team found that SKI -1/S1P also regulates the activation of amembrane-bound transcription factor required for bone formation,which could have an impact on osteoporosis," says Dr. Seidah. "Thiscould be especially important for women after menopause , as they are most likely to develop bone disease." A better understanding of an enzyme implicated in various cancers PC7 (or PCSK7) is the most ancient and highly-conserved basic aminoacid-specific member of the proprotein convertase family. The teamof researchers, led by Estelle Rousselet, shed light on how PC7functions within cells, and was able to define its intracellulartrafficking pathways. "We identified a mechanism for PC7's uniqueability to activate the precursor of epidermal growth factor, whichis involved in various cancers, tumour growth, and the maintenanceof stem cells ," concludes Dr. Seidah. Source: Julie Langelier Institut de recherches cliniques de Montreal Additional References Citations. I am an expert from encrustingmachines.com, while we provides the quality product, such as Bread Production Line Manufacturer , Encrusting Machines, Encrusting Machines,and more.
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