Activation of interleukin-1β by a co-induced protease

RA Black, SR Kronheim, PR Sleath - FEBS letters, 1989 - Elsevier
RA Black, SR Kronheim, PR Sleath
FEBS letters, 1989Elsevier
The proteolytic generation of mature interleukin-1β (IL-1β) from its inactive precursor does
not proceed by a conventional pathway for hormonal processing. Pro-IL-1β is found
dispersed in the cytoplasm, and there are no basic amino acid residues or other commonly
recognized processing sites adjoining the mature N-terminus. Processing appears to occur
during release of the hormone. In the present study, we have identified a specific protease
that generates mature IL-1β from the precursor. This enzyme is co-induced with the …
Abstract
The proteolytic generation of mature interleukin- 1β (IL-1β) from its inactive precursor does not proceed by a conventional pathway for hormonal processing. Pro-IL- 1β is found dispersed in the cytoplasm, and there are no basic amino acid residues or other commonly recognized processing sites adjoining the mature N-terminus. Processing appears to occur during release of the hormone. In the present study, we have identified a specific protease that generates mature IL- 1β from the precursor. This enzyme is co-induced with the hormone, and it differs in its cleavage specificity and inhibitor sensitivity from all known proteases.
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