Pyroglutamyl peptidase I is a cytosolic cysteine protease that cleaves cleaves N-terminal pyroglutamyl (pGlu) residues from a broad specturm of pGlu-containing peptides including thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH), luterinizing hormone releasing hormone (LH-RH), bombesin (from the skin of reptiles), neurotensin (from mammalian brain) and the gastrins (gastric secretion stimulants). Such peptides with an N-terminal pGlu residue are resistant to degradation by conventional aminopeptidases. In the case of TRH and LH-RH this is important in protecting the hormones during their journey from the hypothalamus (where they are produced) to the pituitary gland. Pyroglutamyl peptidase I is widely found in bacteria and plants as well as in animals; in archaea and eubacteria it may have a role in detoxification/nutrient assimilation of N-terminally blocked peptides.
Defined by 4 residues: GLU:A-81ARG:A-91CYS:A-144HIS:A-168