PCSK9 (human recombinant)

Description

Proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin 9 (PCSK9) is a member of the subtilisin serine protease family with an important role in lipoprotein metabolism. Mutation in the PCSK9 gene is associated with autosomal dominant hypercholesterolemia, which is characterized by an increase in low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels. PCSK9 overexpression in wild-type mice doubles the plasma total cholesterol, possibly through acceleration of the degradation of the LDL receptor. PCSK9 mRNA is detected in various tissues such as liver, kidney, lung, spleen, jejunum, ileum, colon, and muscle, with the highest expression in the liver. Human PCSK9 precursor is 692 amino acids in length with an estimated molecular weight of 74 kDa. This proprotein is self-cleaved to form a mature protein at around 63 kDa in the Golgi. Cayman’s PCSK9 (human, recombinant) contains the mature protein (~63 kDa) as well as the cleaved portion (~16 kDa).