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/