Post-translational processing of neuropeptide precursors

Abstract

Relatively little is known yet about processing of peptide precursors by neurons. Our knowledge of hormone biosynthesis in endocrine cells is also rather fragmentary, but many of the inferences that I have drawn in this review are based on studies of peripheral peptide-producing cells. While it is possible to outline steps that must occur between translation of the mRNA species that codes for a peptide precursor and release of the products of this precursor, it is not possible to say how all of these steps are effected. It seems quite likely that various cells have adopted different mechanisms for processing and translocating molecules.