Description
These endopeptidases are multi-spanning membrane proteins. Their catalytic site is embedded within the membrane and they cleave type-1 transmembrane domains. A catalytic dyad is involved in proteolysis rather than a catalytic triad, as was thought previously. They are important for embryo development in Drosophila melanogaster. Rhomboid is a key regulator of EGF receptor signalling and is responsible for cleaving Spitz, the main ligand of the Drosophila EGF receptor pathway. Belongs in peptidase family S54. Parasite-encoded rhomboid enzymes are also important for invasion of host cells by Toxoplasma and the malaria parasite. Rhomboids are widely conserved from bacteria to archaea to humans