Signal peptide peptidase-like 2 proteases: Regulatory switches or proteasome of the membrane?

Signal peptide peptidase-like 2 (SPPL) proteases constitute a subfamily of SPP/SPPL intramembrane proteases which are homologues of the presenilins, the catalytic core of the γ-secretase complex. The three SPPL2 proteases SPPL2a, SPPL2b and SPPL2c proteolyse single-span, type II-oriented transmembrane proteins and/or tail-anchored proteins within their hydrophobic transmembrane segments. We review recent progress in defining substrate spectra and in vivo functions of these proteases. Characterisation of the respective knockout mice has implicated SPPL2 proteases in immune cell differentiation and function, prevention of atherosclerotic plaque development and spermatogenesis. Mechanisms how substrates are selected by these enzymes are still incompletely understood. We will discuss current views on how selective SPPL2-mediated cleavage is or whether these proteases may exhibit a generalised role in the turnover of membrane proteins. This has been suggested previously for the mechanistically related γ-secretase for which the term "proteasome of the membrane" has been coined based on its broad substrate spectrum. With regard to individual substrates, potential signalling functions of the resulting cytosolic cleavage fragments remain a controversial aspect. However, it has been clearly shown that SPPL2 proteases can influence cellular signalling and membrane trafficking by controlling levels of their membrane-bound substrate proteins which highlights these enzymes as regulatory switches. Based on this, regulatory mechanisms controlling activity of SPPL2 proteases would need to be postulated, which are just beginning to emerge. These different questions, which are relevant for other families of intramembrane proteases in a similar way, will be critically discussed based on the current state of knowledge.