Carboxypeptidase, Vitellogenic Like Protein (CPVL)

CPVL encodes a deduced 476-amino acid protein with a 22-amino acid putative signal peptide, 4 potential N-linked glycosylation sites, an intact serine carboxypeptidase active site, and strong similarity to a large number of serine carboxypeptidases from higher and lower eukaryotes. CPVL shares 43% sequence identity with the vitellogenic carboxypeptidase protein that is expressed in mosquito ovaries. RT-PCR revealed strong CPVL expression in monocytic cells lines, but not in cell lines representing B cells, fibroblasts, or epithelial cells. Northern blot analysis of human tissues detected a CPVL transcript in monocyte/macrophage-rich sources including spleen, leukocytes and placenta, but also in heart and kidney, suggesting a role for CPVL outside of the immune system.