Description
Carboxypeptidase E (CPE), also known as Carboxypeptidase H, is a peripheral membrane protein and a zinc metallocarboxypeptidase, and the conversion of proCPE into CPE occurs primarily in secretory vesicles. The active form of CPE cleaves C-terminal amino acid residues of the peptide, and is thus involved in the biosynthesis of peptide hormones and neurotransmitters including insulin, enkephalin, etc. The enzymatic activity is enhanced by millimolar concentrations of Co2+. It has also been proposed that membrane-associated carboxypeptidase E acts as a sorting receptor for targeting regulated secretory proteins which are mostly prohormones and neuropeptides in the trans-Golgi network of the pituitary and in secretory granules into the secretory pathway.Its interaction with glycosphingolipid-cholesterol rafts at the TGN facilitates the targeting. Mutations in this gene are implicated in type II diabetes due to impaired glucose clearance and insulin resistance.