Elsevier, International Journal of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, 1(41), p. 66-71, 2009
DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2008.08.036
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Reverse proteolysis and transpeptidation lead to the generation of polypeptide sequences that cannot be inferred directly from genome sequences as they are post-translational phenomena. These phenomena have so far received little attention although the physiological consequences may reach far. The protease-mediated synthesis of several immunodominant MHC class I antigens was recently reported, underscoring its importance to immunity. Reverse proteolytic and transpeptidation mechanisms as well as conditions that favor successful protease-catalyzed synthetic events are discussed here.