Progastricsin

Progastricsin also known as pepsinogen C or pepsinogen II is a pepsinogen precursor of the enzyme gastricsin that in humans is encoded by the PGC gene.^[1][2][3][4]

Function

Progastricsin is an aspartic proteinase that belongs to the peptidase family A1. The encoded protein is a digestive enzyme that is produced in the stomach and constitutes a major component of the gastric mucosa. This protein is also secreted into the serum. This protein is synthesized as an inactive zymogen that includes a highly basic prosegment. This enzyme is converted into its active mature form at low pH by sequential cleavage of the prosegment that is carried out by the enzyme itself.^[4]

Clinical significance

Polymorphisms in this gene are associated with susceptibility to gastric cancers. Serum levels of this enzyme are used as a biomarker for certain gastric diseases including Helicobacter pylori related gastritis.^[4]