Proline isomerase is a biological enzyme that catalyzes the isomerization of proline. Its pronunciation according to the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) is /ˈproʊlin aɪsoʊˌmeɪriz/, which breaks down as follows: "proh-leen" for the first syllable, "eye-soh-'mair-iz" for the second syllable. The correct spelling of this word can be confusing as it appears to be a compound word made of two distinct units, proline and isomerase. However, the correct spelling of this word ends in "-ase" suffix, indicating that it's an enzyme.
Proline isomerase, also known as peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase (PPIase), is an enzymatic protein that catalyzes the isomerization of the peptide bond between proline residues. This enzyme plays a vital role in protein folding, as the proline residue is unique in its ability to adopt either a cis or trans conformation, which impacts the three-dimensional structure of the protein.
Proline isomerization is a slow and rate-limiting step during protein folding, and proline isomerases help to accelerate this process by facilitating the conversion between cis and trans configurations. By promoting the correct folding of proteins, proline isomerases contribute to the overall stability and functionality of these biomolecules.
There are two major families of proline isomerases: the cyclophilins and the FK506-binding proteins (FKBPs). Cyclophilins are widely distributed in living organisms, while FKBPs are primarily found in eukaryotes. These enzymes are characterized by their ability to bind to immunosuppressive drugs, such as cyclosporin A and FK506, respectively.
Proline isomerases have been linked to various biological processes, including protein trafficking, cell signaling, and immune response. Additionally, their dysregulation has implications in the development of certain diseases, such as cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, and autoimmune diseases. Therefore, proline isomerases are not only crucial in protein folding, but also have significant biological and medical relevance.
The word "proline isomerase" is derived from the combination of the terms "proline" and "isomerase".
The term "proline" refers to an amino acid, which is one of the building blocks of proteins. The origin of the word "proline" can be traced back to the combining form "pro-", meaning "before" or "preliminary", and the word "line", which originated from the Latin word "linum" meaning "flax". The name "proline" was given to this amino acid due to its presence in the decomposition products of gelatin, which is derived from collagen found in connective tissue, particularly animal bones and skin.
The term "isomerase" is a combination of the prefix "iso-", meaning "equal" or "same", and the word "meros", derived from the Greek word "meros" meaning "part".