Regulatory effects of peptides from the pro and catalytic domains of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin 9 (PCSK9) on low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDL-R).

Background: Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin 9 (PCSK9) is a proteinase K subtype of mammalian subtilases collectively called PCSKs. PCSK9 upregulates plasma-cholesterol level by degrading low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDL-R). As a result, PCSK9 is a major target for intervention of hypercholesterolemia and in this regard PCSK9- inhibitors may find useful therapeutic and biochemical applications.

Objective: Our objective is to develop short peptide based PCSK9 inhibitors from its own pro and/or catalytic domains.

Results: Using human (h) hepatic HepG2 and Huh7 cells we showed that the acidic N-terminal hPCSK(931-60), 31-40 and the mid-basic hPCSK(991-120) peptides derived from hPCSK9-prodomain significantly enhanced LDL-R level without altering PCSK9 content. Moreover, the physiologically relevant phoshpho-Ser47 and sulpho-Y38 containing hPCSK(931-60) peptides diminished LDL-R level suggesting that such posttranslational modifications in the prodomain lead to gain of PCSK9- functional activity. These modifications are thus expected to lead to even higher level of plasma cholesterol. As expected, addition of purified recombinant-PCSK9 to the culture medium decreased LDL-R level which can be restored back by exogenous addition of hPCSK(931-40), (31-60) or (91-120) peptides. Using a series of truncated peptides, we identified the most potent LDL-R promoting activity to reside within the prodomain sequence hPCSK(931-37). Two catalytic domain peptides hPCSK(9181-200) and hPCSK(9368-390), containing proposed LDL-R interacting sites have been shown to diminish LDL-R level.

Conclusion: Our study concludes that specific peptides from pro- and catalytic domains of hPCSK9 can regulate LDL-R in cell based assay and may be useful for development of novel therapeutics for cholesterol regulation.