Tolloid Like Protein 1 (TLL1)

TLL1 encodes an astacin-like zinc-dependent metalloprotease and is a subfamily member of the metzincin family. A similar protein in mice is required during heart development and specifically processes procollagen C-propeptides and chordin at similar cleavage sites. As previously demonstrated for BMP1 and TLD, TLL1 specifically processes procollagen C-propeptides at the physiologically relevant site, whereas TLL2 lacks this activity. BMP1 and TLL1 cleave chordin, at sites similar to procollagen C-propeptide cleavage sites, and counteract dorsalizing effects of chordin upon overexpression on Xenopus embryos. Proteases TLD and TLL2 do not cleave chordin.TLL1 gene plays multiple roles in formation of the mammalian heart and is essential for formation of the interventricular septum.