FURIN
FURIN is a membrane-bound subtilisin-like proprotein convertase that cleaves precursor proteins at single or paired basic residues as they traffic through the secretory pathway. It is also known as SPC1, PCSK3, FUR and PACE. Browse Assay Genie's current range of FURIN research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
FURIN is a member of the subtilisin-like proprotein convertase family, whose proteases process protein and peptide precursors moving through the regulated or constitutive branches of the secretory pathway. Like other convertases in the family, furin specifically cleaves substrates at single or paired basic residues. Reported substrates include proparathyroid hormone, the transforming growth factor beta 1 precursor, proalbumin, pro-beta-secretase, membrane type-1 matrix metalloproteinase, the beta subunit of pro-nerve growth factor and von Willebrand factor.
The FURIN gene encodes a type 1 membrane-bound protease that is expressed in many tissues, including neuroendocrine tissue, liver, gut and brain. The protein undergoes an initial autocatalytic processing event in the endoplasmic reticulum, then sorts through endosomes to the trans-Golgi network, where a second autocatalytic event takes place and catalytic activity is acquired. UniProt places it in the trans-Golgi network membrane, at the cell membrane, in endosome membranes and as a secreted form, and classes it in the peptidase S8 family, furin subfamily. Alternative splicing gives multiple transcript variants.
Furin is thought to be one of the proteases that activate the HIV envelope glycoproteins gp160 and gp140, and it facilitates mumps virus infection by cleaving the viral fusion protein F. Unlike SARS-CoV and other coronaviruses, the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein is thought to be uniquely cleaved by this protease. Furin may also play a role in tumour progression. The enzyme has also been known as paired basic amino acid cleaving enzyme, and mouse and rat orthologs are both named Furin.
Furin is implicated in cleaving HIV gp160 and gp140, mumps virus fusion protein F and the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, making it central to viral entry studies.
As a convertase active in the trans-Golgi network and endosomes, furin is used to study how precursors are processed during secretory trafficking.
Furin may play a role in tumour progression, and it cleaves substrates such as membrane type-1 matrix metalloproteinase and the TGF-beta 1 precursor.
Furin cleaves precursors including proparathyroid hormone, pro-nerve growth factor beta subunit and proalbumin, supporting work on protein maturation.
FURIN is a proprotein convertase that cleaves precursor proteins at single or paired basic residues in the secretory pathway. Substrates include proparathyroid hormone, TGF-beta 1 precursor, proalbumin, pro-beta-secretase, MT1-MMP, pro-nerve growth factor and von Willebrand factor.
FURIN is also called SPC1, PCSK3, FUR and PACE. Previous HGNC names include paired basic amino acid cleaving enzyme (furin, membrane associated receptor protein). The gene gives rise to multiple transcript variants through alternative splicing.
Mouse and rat both have a Furin ortholog; check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity. Furin is thought to activate HIV gp160 and gp140 and the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, and it facilitates mumps virus infection through cleavage of protein F.
Other proprotein convertases and furin substrates, including growth factors, hormones and proteases, with products at Assay Genie.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt P09958; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.