Pcyox1-KO Mouse

Pcyox1, or prenylcysteine oxidase 1, is an enzyme involved in the degradation of prenylated proteins. It hydrolyzes the thioether bond of prenylcysteines, releasing hydrogen peroxide, cysteine, and the isoprenoid aldehyde [2]. It is expressed in multiple tissues like vascular and blood cells, liver, gastrointestinal tract, kidney, male reproductive tissue, and muscle [2].

Pcyox1 -/- mice have shown significant phenotypes. In thrombosis studies, in vivo thrombus formation after FeCl3 injury of the carotid artery was delayed, and they were protected from collagen/epinephrine-induced thromboembolism. Platelet hypo-reactivity was observed, with reduced platelet/leukocyte aggregates, platelet aggregation, alpha granules release, and αIIbβ3 integrin activation [1]. In adipogenesis, Pcyox1 -/-/Apoe -/- mice on a high-fat diet had lower body weight due to reduced visceral adipose content, and Pcyox1 gene silencing prevented 3T3-L1 preadipocyte differentiation [3]. In atherosclerosis, Pcyox1 deficiency in Apoe -/- mice retarded atheroprogression, decreased lesion vulnerability, and reduced plasma lipid levels and inflammation [4].

In conclusion, Pcyox1 plays crucial roles in thrombosis, adipogenesis, and atherosclerosis as revealed by gene-knockout mouse models. These findings suggest Pcyox1 could be a potential target for antithrombotic drugs and has pathophysiological or therapeutic potential in obesity-related diseases and atherosclerosis [1,3,4].

References:

1. Banfi, Cristina, Amadio, Patrizia, Zarà, Marta, Sandrini, Leonardo, Barbieri, Silvia S. 2022. Prenylcysteine Oxidase 1 (PCYOX1), a New Player in Thrombosis. In International journal of molecular sciences, 23, . doi:10.3390/ijms23052831. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35269975/

2. Herrera-Marcos, Luis V, Lou-Bonafonte, Jose M, Martinez-Gracia, Maria V, Navarro, María A, Osada, Jesus. 2018. Prenylcysteine oxidase 1, a pro-oxidant enzyme of low density lipoproteins. In Frontiers in bioscience (Landmark edition), 23, 1020-1037. doi:. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28930587/

3. Banfi, Cristina, Mallia, Alice, Ghilardi, Stefania, Sahlén, Pelin, Baetta, Roberta. 2023. Prenylcysteine Oxidase 1 Is a Key Regulator of Adipogenesis. In Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland), 12, . doi:10.3390/antiox12030542. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36978789/

4. Banfi, C, Baetta, R, Barbieri, S S, Eriksson, P, Tremoli, E. 2021. Prenylcysteine oxidase 1, an emerging player in atherosclerosis. In Communications biology, 4, 1109. doi:10.1038/s42003-021-02630-z. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34548610/