QPCT Recombinant Proteins 

QPCT (Glutaminyl-Peptide Cyclotransferase) recombinant proteins are engineered forms of the QPCT enzyme, which catalyzes the conversion of N-terminal glutaminyl residues to pyroglutamate in peptides and proteins. This post-translational modification plays a key role in stabilizing proteins and influencing their biological activity. QPCT has been implicated in neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, and inflammatory processes, making recombinant forms of this enzyme invaluable for research and drug discovery.

Content of QPCT Recombinant Proteins

• Structural Characteristics:
  • Enzyme encoded by the QPCT gene, also referred to as QC (glutaminyl cyclase).
  • Features an active site essential for catalytic conversion of glutaminyl peptides.
• Post-Translational Modifications:
  • Glycosylation (if produced in eukaryotic systems) to mimic the native enzyme's characteristics.
  • Purified forms with or without affinity tags (e.g., His, GST) for easy detection and handling.
• Validation:
  • Functional activity tested using glutaminyl peptide substrates.
  • Characterization through SDS-PAGE, Western blot, and mass spectrometry.

Applications of QPCT Recombinant Proteins

• Cancer Research:
  • Explore QPCT-mediated modifications that stabilize signaling peptides contributing to tumor progression and metastasis.
  • Screen inhibitors targeting QPCT as potential anti-cancer agents.
• Drug Discovery:
  • High-throughput screening of small-molecule inhibitors or peptide mimetics modulating QPCT activity.
  • Development of therapeutic agents targeting QPCT in conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, inflammatory disorders, and cancer.
• Structural Biology:
  • Facilitate crystallographic studies to determine the active site's structure and substrate binding mechanism.
  • Aid in structure-based drug design through detailed structural analysis of QPCT.
• Biochemical and Enzymatic Studies:
  • Examine the kinetics and specificity of QPCT using in vitro assays.
  • Assess the impact of mutations in the QPCT gene on enzyme function and disease association.

Recombinant QPCT proteins are critical tools for advancing our understanding of pyroglutamate modifications, their biological consequences, and their potential as therapeutic targets in a variety of diseases.