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Target intelligence / Profile preview
Carboxypeptidase Q (CPQ)
- Target
- CPQ
- Molecular classification
- Enzyme, Metallopeptidase, Peptidase (M28 family)
01
Overview
Carboxypeptidase Q is a metallopeptidase enzyme belonging to the M28 family that catalyzes the cleavage of dipeptides with unsubstituted terminals to release free amino acids. Its canonical function involves protein and peptide digestion, with specialized roles in the liberation of amino acids such as glutamate and aspartate from C-terminal residues in dietary proteins. CPQ is highly expressed in multiple malignancies and is implicated in creating an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment—especially in glioma—by promoting M2 macrophage polarization and recruitment. Elevated CPQ expression correlates with poor prognosis and increased resistance to radiotherapy, identifying it as a promising therapeutic target and biomarker in oncology.
- Other names
- Plasma glutamate carboxypeptidaseLysosomal dipeptidasePGCPSer-Met dipeptidaseLCH1LDPaminopeptidaseblood plasma glutamate carboxypeptidase
02
Mechanism of action
Not clearly established for drugs; hypothesized that future inhibitors would block immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment through inhibition of CPQ, enhancing efficacy of radiotherapy and immunotherapy
03
Biological functions
Protein digestionCleavage of terminal dipeptidesAmino acid liberationImmunoregulation (particularly in the tumor microenvironment, affecting M2 macrophage polarization)
04
Disease associations
Cancer (elevated in various cancers)Immunosuppression (especially in glioma)Poor prognosis biomarker (glioma)Radiation resistance (glioma)Tumor progression (glioma)Other cancers (hepatocellular carcinoma, ovarian, breast, lung, thyroid)
05
Safety considerations
Not explicitly describedpotential immunosuppression in the context of cancer therapy, risk of disrupted amino acid metabolism if inhibited systemically
06
Interacting drugs
None directly listed; checkpoint inhibitor drugs such as PD-1, TIM-3, and CTLA-4 antibodies are mentioned in context of CPQ-associated immunosuppressive pathways, but no direct small molecule inhibitors of CPQ currently disclosed
07
Biomarkers
Expression level of CPQ is a prognostic biomarker for survival and radiation resistance in gliomaincorporated into survival prediction nomograms
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