This gene can be found on chromosome 19 at location: at 1432427 and ends at 1441410.

The DNA sequence contains 15 exons and the transcript length: 2661 bps translated to a 755 residues protein.

PCSK4 is a member of the family of subtilisin-like proprotein convertase (PCs) that process protein at basic residues. This protein is produced in the inactive zymogen form and is activated by proteolytic removal of its prodomain in the N-terminal site.

PCSK4 is restricted to the reproductive tract and expressed primarily in testicular germ cells and sperm. Low levels of PCSK4 mRNA have also been detected in ovaries and the placenta.

PCSK4 exact intracellular location has not yet been determined.

PCSK4 cleaves synthetic peptide substrates after an Arg in a basic sequence context; most often after paired basic residues (K/R-X-K/R), to release mature proteins from their proproteins. PCSK4 substrates include growth factors (DEAF-1, proIGF2, proenkephalin, proNGF, proPACAP, HGFR), receptors (IGF-1R, HGFR), and members of the ADAM (a-disintegrin-and-metalloproteinase) family (ADAM-1, ADAM-2, ADAM-3, ADAM-5. The activation/inactivation of these substrates implicated directly the latter to the regulation of gonadal functions, sperm motility, and species specific reproduction.

The PCSK4 catalytic domain has a high percentage of homology with those of the other PCs: 70% between PCSK4 and Furin.