Peptide processing and biology in human disease

Abstract

Purpose of review: To describe recent advances in the processing of gastrointestinal hormones, and the consequences for human disease of mutations in the enzymes involved. Recent findings: Although gastrointestinal prohormones were long regarded as devoid of biological activity, recent data indicate that the prohormones for both gastrin and gastrin-releasing peptide are bioactive, through different receptors from the mature hormones. Mutations in the family of prohormone convertases responsible for the initial steps in the processing of gastrointestinal hormones are associated with several different pathophysiological conditions in humans. Summary: Human mutational studies, when taken togeth..