This gene can be found on chromosome 9 at location: 77695406-78164112.

The DNA sequence contains 37 exons and the transcript length: 9538 bps translated to 1860 residues protein.

PCSK5 is a member of the family of subtilisin-like proprotein convertase (PCs) that process proteins at basic residues. This protease undergoes an initial autocatalytic processing event in the ER to generate a heterodimer which exits the ER. It then sorts to the trans-Golgi network where a second autocatalytic event takes place and the catalytic activity is acquired.

PCSK5 is widely expressed and encoded by two alternatively spliced mRNAs: PC5A (which encodes a soluble 913-amino acid protein) and PC5B (which encodes a type I membrane-bound 1860-amino acid enzyme). PC5A is mostly found in the adrenal gland, uterus, ovary, aorta, brain and lung. PC5B is more limited with high expression in the intestine (jejunum, duodenum, ileum, colon), the kidney and the liver.

Isoform PC6A: Secreted.
Isoform PC6B: Endomembrane system: Type I membrane protein localized

PCSK5 is capable of cleavage at the R-X-(K/R)-R consensus motif to release mature proteins from their proproteins. PCSK5 substrates include growth factors (GDF11, TGFb, BMP2, CALD1, NGF, PDGF-A, PDGF-B, VEGF-C), receptors (IGF-1R), prohormones (pro-renin), ECM proteins (N-cadherin, alpha-integrins), enzymes (phospholipase, pro-MT1-MMP, ADAM family), and viral protein (HIV-1 glycoprotein gp160). The activation/inactivation of these substrates implicated directly the latter to homeostatic balance, HDL metabolism, pregnancy establishment and development, and to cell adhesion, proliferation and migration.

The PCSK5 catalytic domain has a high percentage of homology with those of the other PCs: 65% between PCSK5 and Furin.