PLP complex is very slow, as shown by the CD 91757-46-9 studies in the presence of specific and non-specific PLP phosphatases. This slow rate cannot account for the order of magnitude faster rate of transfer of the tightly bound PLP to apo-eSHMT. Our results raise questions about the role of ePL kinase in vivo. The observed inhibition mechanism and the transfer of PLP to apo-B6 enzymes may be a strategy to tune ePL kinase activity on the actual requirements of the PLP cofactor. Moreover, since PLP is such a reactive compound, having it bound tightly to ePL kinase would afford protection against unwanted side reactions, in which it can be dephosphorylated or form aldimines with free amino acids or eamino groups on lysine residues in non-B6 677746-25-7 proteins. We observed that the tightly bound PLP is protected from dephosphorylation by either a specific PLP phosphatase or alkaline phosphatase. But if protecting PLP from the unproductive side reactions is the purpose of its tight binding, then there must be a mechanism by which PLP is released to activate the newly synthesized apo-B6 enzymes, restoring the catalytic turnover of the kinase. One of the major causes of death and disability in Western populations is linked to hypercholesterolemia, an important risk factor for atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease. Hypercholesterolemia affects 1 in 20 subjects and inherited autosomal dominant hypercholesterolemia, which results in even higher levels of cholesterol, occurs at a frequency of worldwide. Patients affected by ADH are typically characterized by plasma LDL-cholesterol greater that the 95th percentile, presence of tendon xanthomas and premature atherosclerosis. To date, ADH has been linked to heterozygous dominant mutations in the genes encoding the low density lipoprotein receptor, apolipoprotein B or proprotein convertase subtilisinkexin. However ADH-affected patients have no mutations in these 3 loci, indicating that other genes remain to be identified on chromosomal cytobands. The discovery of PCSK9, the 9th member of the proprotein convertase family, as a third protagonist in ADH has shed light on an unsuspected regulation of LDLR levels in liver and possibly in the brain. PCSK9 undergoes an autocatalytic cleavage of its N-terminal prosegment that remains associated w
