Tags: Protein.
A protein precursor also called a pro-protein or pro-peptide is an inactive protein (or peptide) that can be turned into an active form by posttranslational modification. The name of the precursor for a protein is often prefixed by pro. Examples include proinsulin and proopiomelanocortin.Protein precursors are often used by an organism when the subsequent protein is potentially harmful but needs to be available on short notice and/or in large quantities.