Meprin A subunit beta is a

protein Proteins are large biomolecules and macromolecules that comprise one or more long chains of amino acid residue (biochemistry), residues. Proteins perform a vast array of functions within organisms, including Enzyme catalysis, catalysing metab ...

that in humans is encoded by the ''MEP1B''

gene In biology, the word gene has two meanings. The Mendelian gene is a basic unit of heredity. The molecular gene is a sequence of nucleotides in DNA that is transcribed to produce a functional RNA. There are two types of molecular genes: protei ...

. Meprins are multidomain zinc metalloproteases that are highly expressed in

mammalian kidney The mammalian kidneys are a pair of excretory organs of the urinary system of mammals, being functioning Kidney (vertebrates), kidneys in postnatal-to-adult individuals (i. e. Kidney (vertebrates)#Metanephros, metanephric kidneys). The kidneys in ...

and intestinal brush border membranes and in leukocytes and certain cancer cells. Mature meprins are oligomers of evolutionarily related, separately encoded alpha and/or beta subunits. Homooligomers of meprin-alpha (MEP1A; MIM 600388) are secreted; oligomers containing meprin-beta are associated with the plasma membrane. Substrates include bioactive peptides and extracellular matrix proteins. See MIM 600388 for further information on meprins. upplied by OMIMref name="entrez">

References

Further reading