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J Caterina

Publications and source records attributed to J Caterina.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

Cloning, characterization, and expression analysis of mouse enamelysin.

Enamelysin is a recently isolated member of the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family of extracellular matrix (ECM)-degrading enzymes. Here we describe the isolation and characterization of the mouse enamelysin cDNA. Expression of mouse enamelysin was detectable only in ameloblasts and odontoblasts of developing teeth. Characterization of mouse enamelysin demonstrated that it is highly conserved in both its sequence content and pattern of expression relative to the porcine, human, and bovine homologues previously described.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Isolation, characterization, and chromosomal location of the mouse enamelysin gene.

Mouse enamelysin (Mmp20), a member of the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family of extracellular matrix degrading enzymes, shows a high degree of homology with other MMPs, particularly those of the stromelysin/collagenase subfamilies. It is expressed exclusively in ameloblasts and odontoblasts. The mouse enamelysin gene (Mmp20) is made up of 10 exons spanning approximately 65 kb within the MMP gene cluster at the centromeric end of chromosome 9.

Animals↗

MT1-MMP-deficient mice develop dwarfism, osteopenia, arthritis, and connective tissue disease due to inadequate collagen turnover.

MT1-MMP is a membrane-bound matrix metalloproteinase (MT-MMP) capable of mediating pericellular proteolysis of extracellular matrix components. MT1-MMP is therefore thought to be an important molecular tool for cellular remodeling of the surrounding matrix. To establish the biological role of this membrane proteinase we generated MT1-MMP-deficient mice by gene targeting. MT1-MMP deficiency causes craniofacial dysmorphism, arthritis, osteopenia, dwarfism, and fibrosis of soft tissues due to ablation of a collagenolytic activity that is essential for modeling of skeletal and extraskeletal connective tissues. Our findings demonstrate the pivotal function of MT1-MMP in connective tissue metabolism, and illustrate that modeling of the soft connective tissue matrix by resident cells is essential for the development and maintenance of the hard tissues of the skeleton.

Animals↗