| Modification Notes |
PREP (prolyl endopeptidase), also known as PE or PEP, is a 710 amino acid protein that localizes to the cytoplasm and belongs to the peptidase S9A family. Existing as a monomer, PREP functions as a prolyl endopeptidase that specifically cleaves peptide bonds on the C-terminal side of prolyl residues within proteins that are approximately 30 amino acids long. Via its catalytic activity, PREP is thought to be involved in the formation and degradation of neuropeptides and hormones, indicating involvement in signaling and regulatory pathways throughout the body. The gene encoding PREP maps to human chromosome 6, which contains 170 million base pairs and comprises nearly 6% of the human genome. Deletion of a portion of the q arm of chromosome 6 is associated with early onset intestinal cancer, suggesting the presence of a cancer susceptibility locus. Additionally, Porphyria cutanea tarda, Parkinson's disease, Stickler syndrome and a susceptibility to bipolar disorder are all associated with genes that map to chromosome 6. |