FURIN

What is FURIN protein?

FURIN gene (furin, paired basic amino acid cleaving enzyme) is a protein coding gene which situated on the long arm of chromosome 15 at locus 15q26. This gene encodes a member of the subtilisin-like proprotein convertase family, which includes proteases that process protein and peptide precursors trafficking through regulated or constitutive branches of the secretory pathway. It encodes a type 1 membrane bound protease that is expressed in many tissues, including neuroendocrine, liver, gut, and brain. The encoded protein undergoes an initial autocatalytic processing event in the ER and then sorts to the trans-Golgi network through endosomes where a second autocatalytic event takes place and the catalytic activity is acquired. The FURIN protein is consisted of 794 amino acids and FURIN molecular weight is approximately 86.7 kDa.

What is the function of FURIN protein?

FURIN protein is a widespread endoprotease in eukaryotic cells, also known as a member of the precursor protein convertase family. FURIN recognizes and cuts the specific amino acid sequences of a variety of precursor proteins, thereby activating these proteins to perform their biological functions. FURIN's substrates include neuropeptides, peptide hormones, growth factors, receptors, plasma proteases, matrix metalloproteinases and bacterial exotoxins, which play important roles in many biological processes. FURIN is involved in the regulation of various physiological processes through its protease activity, including cell signaling, cell proliferation, differentiation, and immune response.

FURIN related signaling pathway

Furin-related signaling pathways are mainly involved in the processing and maturation of proteins within cells. FURIN is a precursor protein convertase belonging to the Subtilis protease family that cleaves peptides inside the Golgi apparatus to activate a variety of proteins, including growth factors, receptors, adhesion molecules, and enzymes. FURIN's activity influences many biological processes, such as embryonic development, cell migration, wound healing, and disease processes (such as cancer invasion and metastasis).

FURIN related diseases

FURIN is associated with a variety of diseases, especially those involving abnormal processing of protein precursors. It is overexpressed in some cancers, such as liver and bowel cancer, and upregulation of FURIN is associated with tumor development, aggressiveness, and poor prognosis. In addition, FURIN is involved in viral infections, such as coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19), which rely on FURIN to lyse spike proteins, thereby facilitating the entry of the virus into host cells. In addition, the activity of FURIN has been associated with cardiovascular diseases, fibrotic disorders and certain genetic diseases.

Fig1. Proposed model of the potential roles of furin and its variants in β-cell function and overall health. (Sulaiman K Marafie, 2023)

Bioapplications of FURIN

As an important precursor protein convertase, rhFURIN is involved in the maturation of many biologically active molecules, including growth factors, hormones, receptors, and extracellular matrix proteins. It plays a key role in the localization of cells, the processing of proteins in secretory pathways, and the occurrence and development of diseases. rhFURIN's activity can be determined by specific fluorescent substrates, which makes it useful in drug screening, disease modeling, and biochemical studies. In addition, inhibitors of rhFURIN are being investigated for the treatment of cancer and other diseases caused by FURIN's abnormal activity, making it an important target for drug development and biomarker research.