Serine Carboxypeptidase Research Articles

Purification and characterization of a new type of serine carboxypeptidase from Monascus purpureus

Carboxypeptidase produced by Monascus purpureus IFO 4478 was purified to homogeneity. The purified enzyme is a heterodimer with a molecular mass of 132 kDa and consists of two subunits of 64 and 67 kDa. It is an acidic glycoprotein with an isoelectric point of 3.67 and 17.0% carbohydrate content. The optimum pH and temperature were 4.0 and 40 degrees C, respectively. The enzyme was stable between pH 2.0 and 8.0 at 37 degrees C for 1 h, and up to 50 degrees C at pH 5.0 for 15 min. The enzyme was strongly inhibited by piperastatin A, diisopropylfluoride phosphate (DFP), phenylmethylsulfonylfluoride (PMSF), and chymostatin, suggesting that it is a chymotrypsin-like serine carboxypeptidase. Monascus purpureus carboxypeptidase was also strongly inhibited by p-chloromercuribenzoic acid (PCMB) but not by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and 1,10-phenanthroline, indicating that it requires cysteine residue but not metal ions for activity. Benzyloxycarbonyl- l-tyrosyl- l-glutamic acid (Z-Tyr-Glu), among the substrates tested, was the best substrate of the enzyme. The K(m), V(max), K(cat), and K(cat) /K(m) values of the enzyme for Z-Tyr-Glu at pH 4.0 and 37 degrees C were 0.86 mM, 0.917 mM min(-1), 291 s(-1), and 339 mM(-1 )s(-1), respectively.

Evidence that cleavage of the precursor enzyme by autocatalysis caused secretion of multiple amylases by Aspergillus niger

The observation that a mutant strain of Aspergillus niger isolated for protease overproduction accumulated Taka-amylase supported an earlier report that processing of the precursor amylase by protease resulted in the secretion of multiple amylases. Studies using a mutant strain revealed that such processing was not due to aspergillopepsin but to autocatalysis by an inherent protease activity of the precursor and glucoamylase. Alignment of protease sequences with glucoamylase showed regions of consensus with serine carboxypeptidase of A. niger. Thus point mutations in this region due to ultraviolet radiation apparently caused the mutant to evolve with enhanced protease activity that degraded the precursor and accumulated Taka-amylase.

Expression of lysosomal protective protein/cathepsin A in a stably transformed human neuroblastoma cell line during bi-directional differentiation into neuronal and Schwannian cells

Human neuroblastoma GOTO cell lines were established that stably express recombinant human lysosomal protective protein/cathepsin A (PPCA) cDNA by transfection. Intracellular cathepsin A (acid serine carboxypeptidase) activity increased four-fold compared with in those of the parent and mock-transfected cell lines. The immunoreactive 54 kDa precursor/zymogen and mature 32/20 kDa two-chain forms were produced in the cells. The amount of the latter form expressed in the GOTO cells was significantly larger than those in the PPCA-overexpressing CHO cell lines previously established. The intracellular proteins showed a typical lysosomal granular distribution and the glycosylated 54 kDa precursor was secreted into the culture medium without the addition of an alkalizing agent. The PPCA-overexpressing cell lines also retained the ability to differentiate bi-directionally as well as the parent cells; into neuronal cells on induction by dibutyryl cAMP in serum-free medium and into Schwannian cells on induction by bromodeoxyuridine. During the course of differentiation into neuronal and Schwannian cells, the intracellular cathepsin A activity further increased two and five times, respectively, which was associated with an increase in the expression of the 32/20 kDa two-chain form. The glycosylated precursor proteins were taken up via the mannose 6-phosphate receptors, and the cathepsin A, α-neuraminidase and β-galactosidase (β-Gal) activities deficient in the fibroblasts derived from a patient with PPCA deficiency (galactosialidosis) were restored. These results suggest that the bi-directional differentiation of GOTO cell lines stably expressing the recombinant human PPCA gene could be a model system for analyzing the functions of PPCA in peripheral neuronal cells and Schwannian cells as well as the recombinant PPCA could be a useful source for enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) for galactosialidosis patients.

Characterization of a lysosomal serine carboxypeptidase from Trypanosoma cruzi.

Trypanosoma cruzi, the flagellate protozoan which is the causative agent of the American trypanosomiasis, Chagas disease has carboxypeptidase activity. The enzyme has been purified to protein homogeneity, and shown to be a lysosomal monomeric glycoprotein with a molecular mass of about 54kDa. The enzyme has an optimum acidic pH (4.5 with furyl acryloyl-Phe-Phe as substrate), is highly specific for hydrophobic C-terminal amino acid residues, and is strongly inhibited by 3,4-dichloroisocoumarin (IC(50) value 0.3 microM). The enzyme is encoded by a number of genes arrayed in head-to-tail tandems; one of these genes has been cloned and sequenced. Sequence comparisons indicate that the enzyme belongs to the C group of serine carboxypeptidases, within the S10 serine peptidase family, and shows the higher similarity to plant and yeast enzymes. The residues involved in catalysis and most of those involved in substrate binding are conserved in the T. cruzi enzyme as well as 8 out of 10 Cys residues known to be involved in disulfide bridges in the yeast enzyme. This is the first report of an S10 family enzyme in trypanosomatids. The presence of serine carboxypeptidases is not restricted to T. cruzi, being possibly a general character of trypanosomatids.

The Multiple Site Binding of Carboxypeptidase Y Inhibitor (IC) to the Cognate Proteinase: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE BIOLOGICAL ROLES OF THE PHOSPHATIDYLETHANOLAMINE-BINDING PROTEIN

The serine carboxypeptidase inhibitor in the cytoplasm of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, IC, specifically inhibits vacuolar carboxypeptidase Y (CPY) and belongs to a functionally unknown family of phosphatidylethanolamine-binding proteins (PEBPs). In the presence of 1 M guanidine hydrochloride, a CPY-IC complex is formed and is almost fully activated. The reactivities of phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride, p-chloromercuribenzoic acid, and diisopropyl fluorophosphate toward the complex are considerably increased in 1 M guanidine hydrochloride, indicating that IC contains a binding site other than its inhibitory reactive site. IC is able to form the complex with diisopropyl fluorophosphate-modified CPY. Tryptic digestion of the complex indicates that two fragments from IC are involved in complex formation with CPY. These findings demonstrate the multiple site binding of IC with CPY. Considering the fact that mouse PEBP has recently been identified as a novel thrombin inhibitor, the binding that characterizes the CPY-IC complex could be a common feature of PEBPs.

Proteomic analysis of changes in the extracellular matrix of Arabidopsis cell suspension cultures induced by fungal elicitors.

A proteomic approach has been applied to investigate changes in the extracellular matrix of Arabidopsis thaliana cell suspension cultures following treatments with two fungal pathogen elicitors, chitosan and extracts of Fusarium moniliforme. The oxidative burst and induction of glutathione S-transferase were used as markers for induction of the pathogen defence response. Changes in the cell wall and culture filtrate proteome were profiled. Proteins whose abundance changed reproducibly were analysed via matrix assisted laser desorption ionisation-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry (MS). An increase in the level of two classical cell wall proteins (a putative endochitinase and a polygalacturonase inhibiting protein) and two novel proteins (a putative receptor-like protein kinase and a probable apospory-associated protein) were seen at 24 hours following elicitation. The level of an unknown protein and a hypothetical protein, which has some homology to serine carboxypeptidases, were decreased at 24 hours post-elicitation. In the culture filtrate extracts, we identified two pathogen elicitor responsive proteins, a xyloglucan endo-1,4-beta-D glucanases (XEG) and a peroxidase. Using a combination of two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, immunoblotting with a phosphotyrosine-specific antibody, and MALDI-TOF MS we discovered that spots that represent putative lectin receptor-like kinase, a putative endochitinase and a XEG possess phosphorylated tyrosine residues. The identification of phosphorylated bona fide cell wall proteins and a putative extracellular receptor-like kinase with no transmembrane domain implicate the existence of an extracellular phosphorylation network which could be involved in intercellular communication.

Biochemical Characterization of Sinapoylglucose:Choline Sinapoyltransferase, a Serine Carboxypeptidase-like Protein That Functions as an Acyltransferase in Plant Secondary Metabolism

Recently, serine carboxypeptidase-like (SCPL) proteins that catalyze transacylation reactions in plant secondary metabolism have been identified from wild tomato and Arabidopsis. These include sinapoylglucose: choline sinapoyltransferase (SCT), an enzyme that functions in Arabidopsis sinapate ester synthesis. SCT and the other known SCPL acyltransferases all share the conserved serine, aspartic acid, and histidine residues employed for catalysis by classical serine carboxypeptidases, although the importance of these residues and the mechanism by which this class of SCPL proteins catalyze acyltransferase reactions is unknown. To characterize further SCT and its catalytic mechanism, we have employed the Saccharomyces cerevisiae vacuolar protein localization 1 mutant, which secretes the serine carboxypeptidase, carboxypeptidase Y, and other proteins normally targeted to the vacuole. When expressed in this strain, SCT is similarly secreted. SCT has been purified from the yeast medium and used for kinetic characterization of the protein. Immunological analysis of SCT has revealed that the expected 50-kDa mature protein is proteolytically processed in yeast and in planta, most likely resulting in the production of a heterodimer derived from a 30- and 17-kDa polypeptide.

Cathepsin A regulates chaperone-mediated autophagy through cleavage of the lysosomal receptor.

Protective protein/cathepsin A (PPCA) has a serine carboxypeptidase activity of unknown physiological function. We now demonstrate that this protease activity triggers the degradation of the lysosome-associated membrane protein type 2a (lamp2a), a receptor for chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA). Degradation of lamp2a is important because its level in the lysosomal membrane is a rate-limiting step of CMA. Cells defective in PPCA show reduced rates of lamp2a degradation, higher levels of lamp2a and higher rates of CMA. Restoration of PPCA protease activity increases rates of lamp2a degradation, reduces levels of lysosomal lamp2a and reduces rates of CMA. PPCA associates with lamp2a on the lysosomal membrane and cleaves lamp2a near the boundary between the luminal and transmembrane domains. In addition to the well-studied role of PPCA in targeting and protecting two lysosomal glycosidases, we have defined a role for the proteolytic activity of this multifunctional protein.

A serine carboxypeptidase gene (PsCP), expressed in early steps of reproductive and vegetative development in Pisum sativum, is induced by gibberellins.

A cDNA clone encoding a serine carboxypeptidase (PsCP), isolated from young fruits of Pisum sativum L., was used to study the temporal and spatial expression and hormonal regulation of serine carboxypeptidase during reproductive and vegetative development. In unpollinated pea ovaries PsCP transcript levels decreased during senescence. However, during early fruit development, PsCP transcript were accumulated in both pericarp and seeds, preferentially in the nucellus, with a polar distribution at the chalazal region of the embryo sac, suggesting a role in seed development. PsCP transcript levels increased also when fruit set was induced in unpollinated ovaries by gibberellins, although the distribution was uniform. PsCP expression was also induced by auxins but not cytokinins, indicating a selective hormonal regulation of PsCP transcription. Localization of PsCP transcript after pollination parallel reported changes in gibberellin distribution, suggesting that PsCP transcription in developing fruits and seeds is induced by gibberellins. PsCP is also expressed in developing seedlings but not in cotyledons, suggesting that it is not involved in the mobilization of storage materials. PsCP transcripts were suppressed by treatment of seedlings with paclobutrazol and restored by gibberellic acid (GA3) treatment. In addition, PsCP transcript levels decreased in etiolated pea seedlings when they were exposed to continuous light but not when exposed to light in the presence of GA3. These results indicate that PsCP transcript accumulation is induced by gibberellins in developing seedlings. This is the first report of a serine carboxypeptidase-like gene induced by gibberellins in reproductive and vegetative developing tissues in dicotyledoneous plants.

New serine carboxypeptidase in mung bean seedling cotyledons

Two serine carboxypeptidases (EC 3.4.16.5) were purified from mung bean seedling cotyledons. Sequences of tryptic peptides derived from the 42.5 kD enzyme corresponded to the derived amino acid sequence of a sequenced cDNA (GenBank U49382 and U49741). This enzyme exhibited the substrate specificity pattern previously published for mung bean carboxypeptidase I. In comparison, the sequence and substrate specificity data obtained for the 43 kD enzyme were similar but not identical. Both enzymes showed preference for peptide substrates with a large hydrophobic residue at the C-terminus. With regard to the penultimate residue of peptide substrates, the mung bean carboxypeptidase I preferred small aliphatic amino acid residues, while the 43 kD enzyme preferred large hydrophobic ones.

Overexpression and functional characterization of a serine carboxypeptidase inhibitor (I(C)) from Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Carboxypeptidase Y (CPY) inhibitor, I(C), a cytoplasmic inhibitor of vacuolar proteinases in yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, was purified by means of a high-level expression system using a proteinase-deficient strain, BJ2168, and an expression vector with the promoter GAL1. The purified I(C) exists as a monomeric beta-protein in solution with a mole-cular weight of 24,398.4 as determined by gel filtration chromatography, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, and far-UV CD spectroscopy. The acetylated N-terminal methionine residue is the sole posttranslational modification. I(C) specifically inhibits both the peptidase and anilidase activities of CPY with inhibitor constants (K(i)) of approximately 1.0 x 10(-9) M. The chemical modification of I(C) with sulfhydryl reagents indicated that it lacks disulfide bonds and has two free SH groups, which are responsible, not for the inhibitory function, but, apparently, for the folding of the overall structure. The formation of a complex of I(C) with CPY was highly specific, as evidenced by no detectable interaction with pro-CPY. Chemical modification studies of the CPY-I(C) complex with specific reagents demonstrated that the catalytic Ser146 and S1 substrate-binding site of CPY are covered in the complex.

Proteinases of Trypanosoma cruzi: patential targets for the chemotherapy of Changas desease.

Trypanosoma cruzi, the agent of the American Trypanosomiasis, Chagas Disease, contains cysteine, serine, threonine and metallo proteinases. Aspartic proteinases have not been found so far. The most abundant among these enzymes is cruzipain, a cysteine proteinase expressed as a complex mixture of isoforms by the major developmental stages of the parasite, including some membrane-bound isoforms. The enzyme is an immunodominant antigen in human chronic Chagas disease and seems to be important in the host/parasite relationship. Inhibitors of cruzipain kill the parasite and cure infected mice, thus making the enzyme a very promising target for the development of new drugs against Chagas disease. In addition 30 kDa cathepsin B-like enzymes have been described. Serine peptidases described in the parasite include oligopeptidase B, a member of the prolyl oligopeptidase family involved in Ca(2+)-signalling during mammalian cell invasion; a prolyl endopeptidase (Tc80), against which inhibitors are being developed, and a serine carboxypeptidase belonging to the S10 family. Metalloproteinases homologous to the gp63 of Leishmania spp. are also present. The proteasome has properties similar to those of other eukaryotes, and its inhibition by lactacystin blocks some differentiation steps in the life cycle of the parasite.

Crystal Structure of Hydroxynitrile Lyase from Sorghum bicolor in Complex with the Inhibitor Benzoic Acid: A Novel Cyanogenic Enzyme,

The crystal structure of the hydroxynitrile lyase from Sorghum bicolor (SbHNL) in complex with the inhibitor benzoic acid has been determined at 2.3 A resolution and refined to a crystallographic R-factor of 16.5%. The SbHNL sequence places the enzyme in the alpha/beta hydrolase family where the active site nucleophile is predicted to be organized in a characteristic pentapeptide motif which is part of the active site strand-turn-helix motif. In SbHNL, however, a unique two-amino acid deletion is next to the putative active site Ser158, removing thereby the putative oxyanion hole-forming Tyr residue. The presented X-ray structure shows that the overall folding pattern of SbHNL is similar to that of the closely related wheat serine carboxypeptidase (CPD-WII); however, the deletion in SbHNL is forcing the putative active site residues away from the expected hydrolase binding site toward a small hydrophobic cleft, which also contains the inhibitor benzoic acid, defining thereby a completely different SbHNL active site architecture where the traditional view of a classic triad is not given any more. Rather, we propose a mechanism involving general base catalysis by the carboxy-terminal Trp270 carboxyl group and proton transfer toward the leaving nitrile group by an active site water molecule. The unexpected interactions of the inhibitor with the new SbHNL active site also reveal the structural basis for the enzyme's limited substrate specificity. The implications of this structure on the evolution of catalysis in the hydroxynitrile lyase superfamily are discussed.

A germination-related gene encoding a serine carboxypeptidase is expressed during the differentiation of the vascular tissue in wheat grains and seedlings

Carboxypeptidases expressed in the aleurone layer participate in the mobilization of endosperm storage proteins during cereal grain germination. The genes encoding these proteins are also expressed in the scutellum of germinating grains, but their function in this organ is not yet clear. We have analyzed the expression of a carboxypeptidase III (CPIII) gene in germinating wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grains. CPIII transcripts accumulated transiently in the scutellum showing a maximum at 2-3 days after imbibition and were exclusively localized to the scutellar vascular tissue. The analysis of CPIII expression in developing shoots and roots from growing seedlings confirmed the localization of CPIII transcripts to differentiating vascular tissue. The TUNEL assay detected in situ nuclear DNA fragmentation in cells showing CPIII expression, indicating that they undergo programmed cell death. Relative RT-PCR analysis showed that the CPIII gene expressed at high level in aleurone cells is the one expressed in vegetative tissues, and allowed the use of this gene as a molecular marker of tracheary element differentiation in wheat seedlings. These results are indicative of the involvement of serine carboxypeptidases in programmed cell death during the development of the vascular tissue in wheat, a new role for these enzymes, besides the mobilization of starchy-endosperm proteins during germination.

Cloning of a Novel Retinoid-inducible Serine Carboxypeptidase from Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

Retinoids block smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation and attenuate neointimal formation after vascular injury, presumably through retinoid receptor-mediated changes in gene expression. To identify target genes in SMC whose encoded proteins could contribute to such favorable biological effects, we performed a subtractive screen for retinoid-inducible genes in cultured SMC. Here, we report on the cloning and initial characterization of a novel retinoid-inducible serine carboxypeptidase (RISC). Expression of RISC is low in cultured SMC but progressively increases over a 5-day time-course treatment with all-trans-retinoic acid. A near full-length rat RISC cDNA was cloned and found to have a 452-amino acid open reading frame containing an amino-terminal signal sequence, followed by several conserved domains comprising the catalytic triad common to members of the serine carboxypeptidase family. In vitro transcription and translation experiments showed that the rat RISC cDNA generates an approximately 51-kDa protein. Confocal immunofluorescence microscopy of COS-7 cells transiently transfected with a RISC-His tag plasmid revealed cytosolic localization of the fusion protein. Western blotting studies using conditioned medium from transfected COS-7 cells suggest that RISC is a secreted protein. Tissue Northern blotting studies demonstrated robust expression of RISC in rat aorta, bladder, and kidney with much lower levels in all other tissues analyzed; high level RISC expression was also observed in human kidney. In situ hybridization verified the localization of RISC to medial SMC of the adult rat aorta. Interestingly, expression in kidney was restricted to proximal convoluted tubules; little or no expression was observed in glomerular cells, distal convoluted and collecting tubules, or medullary cells. Radiation hybrid mapping studies placed the rat RISC locus on chromosome 10q. These studies reveal a novel retinoid-inducible protease whose activity may be involved in vascular wall and kidney homeostasis.

Albumin and Globulin Proteins of Wheat Flour: Immunological and N-terminal Sequence Characterisation

Several non-storage proteins are encoded by genes on individual wheat chromosomes and these have been used as genome-specific markers. In this study, a library of monoclonal antibodies with differing specificities to water- and salt-soluble proteins has been developed in order to obtain markers for different wheat chromosomes. Two antibodies, BCSAU 9D1 and JGM 1B4 were found to bind polypeptides encoded by chromosomes 3D and 4D respectively. Other antibodies bound to small numbers of polypeptides encoded by more than one chromosome, such as 5A, 7D, 5B and 5D. The proteins recognised by some of the antibodies were isolated by immunoaffinity chromatography, and one protein was identified as an alpha -amylase inhibitor by N-terminal sequence characterisation. In addition, 16 water-soluble and eight salt-soluble proteins were isolated using SDS-PAGE, isoelectric focusing, two-dimensional electrophoresis and reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography, with the main objective being to confirm the identity of particular proteins, especially those which were able to be assigned to particular chromosomes. The N-terminal sequencing characterisation identified 19 proteins, whereas four proteins were found to be blocked and one did not match with any proteins in the database. Most of the water-soluble proteins belonged to a family of alpha -amylase inhibitors. One protein, assigned to chromosome 4BS, was homologous to serine carboxypeptidase III. N-terminal sequences of some of salt-soluble proteins matched with internal sequences of barley embryo globulin. Other proteins were identified as lipid transfer protein, peroxidase BP-1 precursor and histone H4 proteins. The protein sequences could also potentially be used for making antibody or DNA probes for use in selection in breeding programmes.

Protease in Plant Signaling Pathway

A plant cell-surface receptor called BRI1 is thought to transduce signals initiated by brassinosteroids (BRs) that regulate growth and development. Genetic analysis of Arabidopsis thaliana mutants by Li et al. has revealed the involvement of a serine carboxypeptidase called BRS1 in this signaling cascade. Overexpression of BRS1 in wild-type plants did not alter growth, but did suppress the effects of BRI1 mutants with defects in their extracellular domain. BRS1 was not able to suppress a cytoplasmic kinase domain mutant of BRI1, nor was it able to act in the absence of BR. The substrates of BRS1 are not yet known, but the enzyme could cleave BRI1 or BR-binding proteins.J. Li, K. A. Lease, F. E. Tax, J. C. Walker, BRS1, a serine carboxypeptidase, regulates BRI1 signaling in Arabidopsis thaliana. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 10, 5916-5921 (2001). [Abstract] [Full Text]

Protease in Plant Signaling Pathway

A plant cell-surface receptor called BRI1 is thought to transduce signals initiated by brassinosteroids (BRs) that regulate growth and development. Genetic analysis of Arabidopsis thaliana mutants by Li et al. has revealed the involvement of a serine carboxypeptidase called BRS1 in this signaling cascade. Overexpression of BRS1 in wild-type plants did not alter growth, but did suppress the effects of BRI1 mutants with defects in their extracellular domain. BRS1 was not able to suppress a cytoplasmic kinase domain mutant of BRI1, nor was it able to act in the absence of BR. The substrates of BRS1 are not yet known, but the enzyme could cleave BRI1 or BR-binding proteins. J. Li, K. A. Lease, F. E. Tax, J. C. Walker, BRS1, a serine carboxypeptidase, regulates BRI1 signaling in Arabidopsis thaliana . Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 10 , 5916-5921 (2001). [Abstract] [Full Text]

Leaves Talk Long Distance

Can one leaf tell another what to do? Lake et al . report that indeed, older leaves of Arabidopsis thaliana seem to influence the response of younger leaves to atmospheric CO 2 concentration. Both mature leaves and new leaves exhibited a decrease in stomata density when only the mature leaves were exposed to high CO 2 . The authors suggest that a long-distance signal gets transmitted from older to younger leaves. It is thought that new leaves cannot respond appropriately to changes in atmospheric CO 2 . J. A. Lake, W. P. Quick, D. J. Beerling, F. I. Woodward, BRS1, a serine carboxypeptidase, signals from mature to new leaves. Nature 411 , 154 (2001). [Online Journal]

Cloning and Characterization of CPVL, a Novel Serine Carboxypeptidase, from Human Macrophages

Carboxypeptidases are proteases that cleave single amino acids from the carboxy termini of proteins or peptides. In addition to degradative functions in the gut, carboxypeptidases activate or inactivate bioactive peptides such as angiotensin, bradykinin, and endothelin I. Using differential display PCR, we cloned a novel carboxypeptidase expressed in human macrophages but not in other leukocytes. The 476-amino-acid gene product has a putative signal sequence but no transmembrane domain and has striking sequence similarity to serine carboxypeptidases, a large family of enzymes in eukaryotes. Only one serine carboxypeptidase, lysosomal protective protein, has previously been reported in mammals. Among known proteins, this gene is most similar (43% amino acid identity) to vitellogenic carboxypeptidase, a serine carboxypeptidase expressed in mosquito ovaries. Therefore, we have named this new gene carboxypeptidase, vitellogenic-like (CPVL). In addition to monocyte/macrophage-rich sources such as spleen, leukocytes, and placenta, CPVL mRNA is abundantly expressed in heart and kidney, suggesting a separate role for CPVL outside the immune system. The CPVL gene contains at least 13 exons spread over more than 150 kb on human chromosome 7p14–p15. An affinity-purified polyclonal antiserum recognized a protein of approximately 57 kDa in macrophage lysates, but not in lysates from lymphocytes, neutrophils, or monocytes. CPVL protein expression was induced during maturation of monocytes into macrophages. Possible functions for CPVL in macrophages include digestion of phagocytosed particles in the lysosome, participation in an inflammatory protease cascade, and trimming of peptides for antigen presentation.