Engelsk definition
Cysteine-rich, precursor glycoproteins encoded by the granulin gene (GRN). They contain granulin-repeats separated by linker sequences that are cleaved by a variety of proteases to release the individual GRANULIN PEPTIDES. The mammalian progranulin is composed of a half-granulin repeat followed by 7 granulin repeats. The mammalian GRANULINS are named PARAGRANULIN and granulin 1-7 for their order in the progranulin propeptide. Progranulin has growth-factor like effects and is expressed over a broad range of tissues. Under-expression of progranulin is linked to neurodegenerative diseases including FRONTOTEMPORAL DEMENTIA and NEURONAL CEROID LIPOFUSCINOSIS, while over-expression is linked to metabolic diseases including OBESITY, and INSULIN RESISTANCE.