The role of prolidase as an enzyme participating in the metabolism of collagen.

Prolidase (E.C. 3.4.13.9) is a cytosolic exopeptidase that cleaves imidodipeptides and imidotripeptides with C-terminal proline or hydroxyproline. The enzyme apparently contributes to the conservation of iminoacids from endogenous and exogenous protein sources, mainly collagen. Prolidase plays an important role in the recycling of proline for collagen synthesis and cell growth and probably serves as an interface between protein nutrition and matrix breakdown. It seems that prolidase activity (despite the collagen gene expression) may be a step limiting factor in the regulation of collagen biosynthesis. The prolidase gene (PEPD) is located on chromosome 19 and encodes a polypeptide of 493 amino acids with molecular weight 54 kDa. The mature form of the enzyme is a dimer composed of two identical subunits. The gene harbors polymorphic alleles without effect on activity. Rare mutations found on exons 7,8,12 and 14 may be responsible for prolidase deficiency. Prolidase deficiency is characterized by massive imidodipeptiduria, skin lesions, recurrent infections, mental retardation and elevated proline-containing dipeptides in plasma. An effective treatment of the disease has not been identified.