InterPro domain: IPR001915

This entry represents the largely extracellular catalytic region of CAAX prenyl protease homologues such as Human FACE-1 protease. These are metallopeptidases, with the characteristic HExxH motif giving the two histidine-zinc-ligands and an adjacent glutamate on the next helix being the third. The whole molecule folds to form a deep groove/cleft into which the substrate can fit [ 1 , 2 ].

This group of metallopeptidases belong to MEROPS peptidase family M48. Proteins with this domain are mostly described as probable protease htpX homologue ( 3.4.24 ) or CAAX prenyl protease 1, which proteolytically removes the C-terminal three residues of farnesylated proteins. They are integral membrane proteins associated with the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi, binding one zinc ion per subunit.

1. Structure of the integral membrane protein CAAX protease Ste24p. Science 339, 1600-4
2. The structural basis of ZMPSTE24-dependent laminopathies. Science 339, 1604-7