PCSK9

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), also known as NARC1 or PC9, encoded by the PCSK9 gene, is a member of the subtilisin-like proprotein convertase family which plays a key role in cholesterol and fatty acid metabolism. It is reported that the PCSK9-LDLR complexes by the binding of PCSK9 and LDLR (low-density lipoprotein receptor) can be transported into lysosomes for degradation, thus decreasing the levels of LDLR on the cell surface, thereby resulting in higher blood levels of LDL-C.
The PCSK9 is widely expressed in multiple human tissues, such as liver, intestine, kidney, colon, duodenum, lung. It is proved that the PCSK9 is associated with the diseases induced by abnormal lipid metabolism, including coronary heart disease, arterial stiffness, stroke, pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms, diabetes mellitus, polycystic ovary syndrome. And the mutations of the PCSK9 gene results in the depressed production of PCSK9 protein, lower the plasma LDL-C levels and risk of coronary heart disease. These suggest that PCSK9 protein can be considered as a new therapeutic target to reduce plasma levels of LDL and lots of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against PCSK9 are currently been tested in clinical trials for dyslipidemia and atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases treatment.
Gene ID: 255738
UniProt ID: Q8NBP7