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Biomedical subjects

J M Freije

Publications and source records attributed to J M Freije.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Membrane type 4 matrix metalloproteinase (MMP17) has tumor necrosis factor-alpha convertase activity but does not activate pro-MMP2.

Membrane type 4 matrix metalloproteinase (MT4-MMP) shows the least sequence homology to the other MT-MMPs, suggesting a distinct function for this protein. We have isolated a complete cDNA corresponding to the mouse homologue which includes the signal peptide and a complete pro-domain, features that were lacking from the human form originally isolated. Mouse MT4-MMP (mMT4-MMP) expressed in COS-7 cells is located at the cell surface but does not show ability to activate pro-MMP2. The pro-catalytic domain was expressed in Escherichia coli as insoluble inclusions and active enzyme recovered after refolding. Activity of the isolated catalytic domain against synthetic peptides commonly used for MMP enzyme assays could be inhibited by TIMP1, -2, and -3. The recombinant mMT4-MMP catalytic domain was also unable to activate pro-MMP2 and was very poor at hydrolyzing components of the extracellular matrix with the exception of fibrinogen and fibrin. mMT4-MMP was able to hydrolyze efficiently a peptide consisting of the pro-tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) cleavage site, a glutathione S-transferase-pro-TNFalpha fusion protein, and was found to shed pro-TNFalpha when co-transfected in COS-7 cells. MT4-MMP was detected by Western blot in monocyte/macrophage cell lines which in combination with its fibrinolytic and TNFalpha-converting activity suggests a role in inflammation.

ADAM Proteins↗
PubMed2000

ADAM 23/MDC3, a human disintegrin that promotes cell adhesion via interaction with the alphavbeta3 integrin through an RGD-independent mechanism.

ADAM 23 (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase domain)/MDC3 (metalloprotease, disintegrin, and cysteine-rich domain) is a member of the disintegrin family of proteins expressed in fetal and adult brain. In this work we show that the disintegrin-like domain of ADAM 23 produced in Escherichia coli and immobilized on culture dishes promotes attachment of different human cells of neural origin, such as neuroblastoma cells (NB100 and SH-S(y)5(y)) or astrocytoma cells (U373 and U87 MG). Analysis of ADAM 23 binding to integrins revealed a specific interaction with alphavbeta3, mediated by a short amino acid sequence present in its putative disintegrin loop. This sequence lacks any RGD motif, which is a common structural determinant supporting alphavbeta3-mediated interactions of diverse proteins, including other disintegrins. alphavbeta3 also supported adhesion of HeLa cells transfected with a full-length cDNA for ADAM 23, extending the results obtained with the recombinant protein containing the disintegrin domain of ADAM 23. On the basis of these results, we propose that ADAM 23, through its disintegrin-like domain, may function as an adhesion molecule involved in alphavbeta3-mediated cell interactions occurring in normal and pathological processes, including progression of malignant tumors from neural origin.

ADAM Proteins↗
PubMed1999

Collagenase-3 binds to a specific receptor and requires the low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein for internalization.

We have previously identified a specific receptor for collagenase-3 that mediates the binding, internalization, and degradation of this ligand in UMR 106-01 rat osteoblastic osteosarcoma cells. In the present study, we show that collagenase-3 binding is calcium-dependent and occurs in a variety of cell types, including osteoblastic and fibroblastic cells. We also present evidence supporting a two-step mechanism of collagenase-3 binding and internalization involving both a specific collagenase-3 receptor and the low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein. Ligand blot analysis shows that (125)I-collagenase-3 binds specifically to two proteins ( approximately 170 kDa and approximately 600 kDa) present in UMR 106-01 cells. Western blotting identified the 600-kDa protein as the low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein. Our data suggest that the 170-kDa protein is a specific collagenase-3 receptor. Low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein-null mouse embryo fibroblasts bind but fail to internalize collagenase-3, whereas UMR 106-01 and wild-type mouse embryo fibroblasts bind and internalize collagenase-3. Internalization, but not binding, is inhibited by the 39-kDa receptor-associated protein. We conclude that the internalization of collagenase-3 requires the participation of the low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein and propose a model in which the cell surface interaction of this ligand requires a sequential contribution from two receptors, with the collagenase-3 receptor acting as a high affinity primary binding site and the low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein mediating internalization.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Identification and chromosomal location of two human genes encoding enzymes potentially involved in proteolytic maturation of farnesylated proteins.

Two human cDNAs encoding proteins similar to yeast enzymes involved in proteolytic processing of farnesylated proteins like a-factor mating pheromone and Ras2p have been cloned from an ovary cDNA library. These proteins have been tentatively called Face-1 and Face-2 (farnesylated protein-converting enzymes 1 and 2), respectively, and are integral membrane proteins, belonging to distinct families of metalloproteinases. Northern blot analysis of poly(A)+ RNAs isolated from a wide variety of human tissues demonstrated that both genes are expressed in all examined tissues, which suggests that these enzymes play housekeeping roles in normal processes. Fluorescence in situ hybridization experiments showed that the human FACE-1 gene maps to 1p34, whereas FACE-2 is located at 11q13, a region frequently amplified in human carcinomas and lymphomas. On the basis of these results, we suggest that inhibition of Face-1 and/or Face-2 could be part of strategies directed to block the functioning of prenylated proteins activated in oncogenic processes, including Ras proteins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1998

Differential effects of transforming growth factor-beta on the expression of collagenase-1 and collagenase-3 in human fibroblasts.

Collagenase-3 (MMP-13) is a matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) originally identified in breast carcinomas which is also produced at significant levels during fetal ossification and in arthritic processes. In this work, we have found that transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1), a growth factor widely assumed to be inhibitory for MMPs, strongly induces collagenase-3 expression in human KMST fibroblasts. In contrast, this growth factor down-regulated the expression in these cells of collagenase-1 (MMP-1), an enzyme highly related to collagenase-3 in terms of structure and enzymatic properties. The positive effect of TGF-beta1 on collagenase-3 expression was dose- and time-dependent, but independent of the effects of this growth factor on cell proliferation rate. Analysis of the signal transduction mechanisms underlying the up-regulating effect of TGF-beta1 on collagenase-3 expression demonstrated that this growth factor acts through a signaling pathway involving protein kinase C and tyrosine kinase activities. Functional analysis of the collagenase-3 gene promoter region revealed that the inductive effect of TGF-beta1 is partially mediated by an AP-1 site. Comparative analysis with the promoter region of the collagenase-1 gene which contains an AP-1 site at equivalent position, confirmed that TGF-beta1 did not have any effect on CAT activity levels of this promoter. Finally, by using electrophoretic mobility shift assays and antibody supershift analysis, we propose that c-Fos, c-Jun, and JunD may play major roles in the collagenase-3 activation by TGF-beta1 in human fibroblasts.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1998

Nm23 and tumour metastasis: basic and translational advances.

The nm23 genes were discovered on the basis of their reduced expression by highly metastatic cell lines. This trend was confirmed in cohorts of several types of human carcinomas and melanomas. Several transfection studies have demonstrated the suppressive effect of nm23 overexpression on the metastatic aggressiveness of melanoma and breast carcinoma cells in vivo. These transfection experiments have also demonstrated an effect of nm23 overexpression on cellular functions involved in the metastatic phenotype, such as cell motility, and point to a regulatory role for Nm23 proteins in cellular signalling pathways. Nm23 homologues from various species are also involved in normal tissue development and differentiation. Transfection of nm23-H1 into breast cancer cells provided a functional demonstration of the involvement of this gene in the differentiation of mammary epithelial cells. However, the molecular mechanism of these biological effects remains unknown. Several biochemical activities have been reported for Nm23, including NDP kinase activity, serine autophosphorylation and protein-histidine kinase activity. To define the possible significance of these biochemical activities, we carried out site-directed mutagenesis of the relevant codons of nm23-H1 cDNA and studied the effects upon transfection into MDA-MB-435 human breast carcinoma cells. We have also used Nm23 expression as a molecular marker to identify novel compounds that are active against the most aggressive tumour cells. This approach revealed that none of the standard agents currently in clinical use is preferentially active against the most aggressive tumour cells, and allowed us to identify new compounds that are preferentially inhibitory towards low-Nm23-expressing breast carcinoma and melanoma cell lines. This analysis also revealed a significant correlation between Nm23 levels and sensitivity of the tumour cells to alkylating agents. A functional implication of Nm23 proteins in this phenomenon was demonstrated after transfection of nm23 cDNAs into melanoma and breast and ovarian carcinoma cells.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1997

Nm23/PuF does not directly stimulate transcription through the CT element in vivo.

Decreased levels of the nm23 gene product have been correlated with increased tumor metastatic potential in a variety of malignancies. At least a subset of the regulatory properties of Nm23 has been proposed to be due to transactivation of the human c-myc oncogene through binding to a homopyrimidine tract 140 base pairs upstream of the transcription start site (termed the CT element or the PuF site). Conventional transcription factors possess DNA binding and transactivation domains; Nm23 fusion proteins were used to address two questions. First, if provided with a well characterized DNA binding domain, does Nm23 possess a transactivation domain capable of stimulating transcription of an appropriate reporter? Second, if provided with a potent transactivation domain, is the DNA binding of Nm23 of sufficient specificity and affinity to direct the fusion protein to a CT-dependent reporter? Since reporter gene expression was not stimulated in either case, we conclude that Nm23 does not directly stimulate transcription through binding to the CT element and that its antimetastatic and other reported functions are likely due to other biochemical activities.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Site-directed mutation of Nm23-H1. Mutations lacking motility suppressive capacity upon transfection are deficient in histidine-dependent protein phosphotransferase pathways in vitro.

We previously compared the structure and motility suppressive capacity of nm23-H1 by transfection of wild type and site-directed mutant forms into breast carcinoma cells. Wild type nm23-H1 and an nm23-H1(S44A) (serine 44 to alanine) mutant suppressed motility, whereas the nm23-H1(P96S), nm23-H1(S120G), and to a lesser extent, nm23-H1(S120A) mutant forms failed to do so. In the present study wild type and mutant recombinant Nm23-H1 proteins have been produced, purified, and assayed for phosphorylation and phosphotransfer activities. We report the first association of Nm23-H1 mutations lacking motility suppressive capacity with decreased in vitro activity in histidine-dependent protein phosphotransferase assays. Nm23-H1(P96S), a Drosophila developmental mutation homolog, exhibited normal autophosphorylation and nucleoside-diphosphate kinase (NDPK) characteristics but deficient phosphotransfer activity in three histidine protein kinase assays, using succinic thiokinase, Nm23-H2, and GST-Nm23-H1 as substrates. Nm23-H1(S120G), found in advanced human neuroblastomas, exhibited deficient activity in several histidine-dependent protein phosphotransfer reactions, including histidine autophosphorylation, downstream phosphorylation on serines, and slightly decreased histidine protein kinase activity; significant NDPK activity was observed. The Nm23-H1(S120A) mutant was deficient in only histidine-dependent serine autophosphorylation. Nm23-H1 and Nm23-H1(S44A) exhibited normal activity in all assays conducted. Based on this correlation, we hypothesize that a histidine-dependent protein phosphotransfer activity of Nm23-H1 may be responsible for its biological suppressive effects.

Dose-Response Relationship, Drug↗
PubMed1997

Identification of compounds with preferential inhibitory activity against low-Nm23-expressing human breast carcinoma and melanoma cell lines.

We have used the COMPARE computer algorithm and Nm23 expression as a marker of tumor metastatic potential to examine the in vitro antiproliferative activity of chemotherapeutic drugs on human breast carcinoma and melanoma cell lines. None of 171 compounds in clinical use or under development and only 40 of 30,000 repository compounds exhibited preferential growth inhibition of low-Nm23-expressing, metastatically aggressive cell lines with a Pearson correlation coefficient of < or = -0.64. Characterization of one compound, NSC 645306, is presented including in vivo activity in a hollow fiber assay. The data demonstrate a novel approach to drug identification for aggressive human tumors.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1996

Site-directed mutagenesis of nm23-H1. Mutation of proline 96 or serine 120 abrogates its motility inhibitory activity upon transfection into human breast carcinoma cells.

We report the first correlation of Nm23 sequence and its tumor metastasis-suppressive capacity using site-directed mutagenesis and an in vitro tumor cell motility assay. MDA-MB-435 human breast carcinoma cells were transfected with a control expression vector (pCMVBamneo), the vector containing the wild type nm23-H1, or the nm23-H1 vector encoding mutations at the following amino acids: serine 44, a phosphorylation site; proline 96, the k-pn mutation in the Drosophila nm23 homolog that causes developmental defects; histidine 118, involved in Nm23's nucleoside diphosphate kinase activity; and serine 120, a site of mutation in human neuroblastomas and phosphorylation. The wild type nm23-H1 transfectants were 44-98% less motile to serum and 86-99% less motile to autotaxin than control vector transfectants. The proline 96 k-pn, serine 120 to glycine, and to a lesser extent serine 120 to alanine mutant nm23-H1-transfected cell lines exhibited motility levels at or above the control transfectants, indicating that these mutations can abrogate the motility-suppressive phenotype of nm23-H1. No effect was observed on cellular proliferation, nor were the serine 44 to alanine nm23-H1 mutant transfectants motile, demonstrating the specificity of the data. The data identify the first structural motifs of nm23-H1 that influence its metastasis suppressive effect and suggest complex biochemical associations or activities in the Nm23 suppressive pathway.

Alanine↗
PubMed1995

Mapping and sequence of the gene encoding protein p17, a major African swine fever virus structural protein.

The gene encoding protein p17, a major structural protein of African swine fever virus, has been mapped and sequenced. Protein p17 was purified from dissociated virus by reverse-phase HPLC and the amino acid sequence of a peptide obtained after digestion of protein p17 with cyanogen bromide was determined by automated Edman degradation. To map the gene encoding protein p17, a mixture of 17-mer oligonucleotides based upon a part of the amino acid sequence was hybridized to cloned African swine fever virus DNA restriction fragments. This allowed the location of the gene in the fragment EcoRI D of the viral genome. The nucleotide sequence of a Sa/l/KpnI fragment revealed an open reading frame designated D117R encoding a protein of 117 amino acids with a deduced molecular mass of about 13,000 Da. A transcriptional analysis revealed that the p17 gene is expressed late in the viral infection cycle.

Africa↗
PubMed1994

Cloning and expression analysis of the cDNA encoding rat Zn-alpha 2-glycoprotein.

We report here the nucleotide (nt) sequence of a rat liver cDNA encoding Zn-alpha 2-glycoprotein (Zn-alpha 2-gp), a plasma protein with a high degree of sequence similarity to class-I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens. The deduced amino acid (aa) sequence contains the coding information for 293 aa residues and shows 60% identity with the aa sequence of human Zn-alpha 2-gp and 35% identity with that corresponding to the extracellular domains of RT1, a rat class-I MHC antigen. Northern blot analysis showed that rat Zn-alpha 2-gp is expressed in liver, but not in a wide number of tissues, including prostate, mammary gland, kidney, intestine, lung, pancreas, ovary, uterus, thyroid, placenta, spleen, brain and heart.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Molecular cloning and expression of collagenase-3, a novel human matrix metalloproteinase produced by breast carcinomas.

A cDNA coding for a new human matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) has been cloned from a cDNA library derived from a breast tumor. The isolated cDNA contains an open reading frame coding for a polypeptide of 471 amino acids. The predicted protein sequence displays extensive similarity to the previously known MMPs and presents all the structural features characteristic of the members of this protein family, including the well conserved PRCGXPD motif, involved in the latency of the enzyme and the zinc-binding domain (HEXGHXXXXXHS). In addition, this novel human MMP contains in its amino acid sequence several residues specific to the collagenase subfamily (Tyr-214, Asp-235, and Gly-237) and lacks the 9-residue insertion present in the stromelysins. According to these structural characteristics, the MMP described herein has been tentatively called collagenase-3, since it represents the third member of this subfamily, composed at present of fibroblast and neutrophil collagenases. The collagenase-3 cDNA was expressed in a vaccinia virus system, and the recombinant protein was able to degrade fibrillar collagens, providing support to the hypothesis that the isolated cDNA codes for an authentic collagenase. Northern blot analysis of RNA from normal and pathological tissues demonstrated the existence in breast tumors of three different mRNA species, which seem to be the result of the utilization of different polyadenylation sites present in the 3'-noncoding region of the gene. By contrast, no collagenase-3 mRNA was detected either by Northern blot or RNA polymerase chain reaction analysis with RNA from other human tissues, including normal breast, mammary fibroadenomas, liver, placenta, ovary, uterus, prostate, and parotid gland. On the basis of the increased expression of collagenase-3 in breast carcinomas and the absence of detectable expression in normal tissues, a possible role for this metalloproteinase in the tumoral process is proposed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Structure and expression in breast tumors of human TIMP-3, a new member of the metalloproteinase inhibitor family.

A new member of the metalloproteinase inhibitor family of proteins has been cloned from a complementary DNA library derived from a human breast tumor. The isolated complementary DNA contains an open reading frame 633 base pairs long, encoding a polypeptide of 211 amino acids, which has been called tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 3 (TIMP-3). This protein displays low sequence similarity to the previously known human TIMPs but shows a high degree of similarity with chicken inhibitor of metalloproteinase 3, a recently described metalloproteinase inhibitor stimulated during oncogenic transformation of chicken fibroblasts and with the ability to promote some phenotypic properties of transformed cells. Northern blot analysis of RNA from human tissues revealed that the TIMP-3 gene is expressed in placenta and uterus but not in liver and ovary. In addition, TIMP-3 transcripts were detected in all breast carcinomas examined. On the basis of these expression data in breast tumors, together with its high degree of structural homology with chicken inhibitor of metalloproteinase 3, a possible role for human TIMP-3 in the regulation of connective tissue turnover and remodeling is proposed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1993

A serine phosphorylation of Nm23, and not its nucleoside diphosphate kinase activity, correlates with suppression of tumor metastatic potential.

We describe a serine phosphorylation of the putative metastasis suppressor protein Nm23, and present evidence of its relevance to the signal transduction and tumor metastatic processes. Nm23 was previously demonstrated to exhibit nucleoside diphosphate kinase (NDPK) activity, which transfers a phosphate among nucleoside tri- and diphosphates via an Nm23-phospho-histidine intermediate. Recent data have dissociated the NDPK activity of Nm23 from its phenotypic effects; therefore we have asked whether Nm23 possesses additional biochemical functions. An acid-stable (nonhistidine) phosphorylation was identified on autophosphorylated purified recombinant Nm23 proteins and [32P]orthophosphate-labeled human breast carcinoma and murine melanoma Nm23. Phosphoamino acid analysis identified serine as the acid-stable phosphorylation and serine 44 as the major site of phosphorylation. The acid stable phosphorylation (serine) of Nm23 was inhibited by cAMP in vitro and forskolin in vivo, suggesting that this phosphorylation pathway is regulated in signal transduction. No effect of cAMP was observed on Nm23 NDPK activity. Once phosphorylated, Nm23-phosphoserine can release free phosphate in vitro. The biological relevance of the novel phosphorylation identified herein is suggested by the direct correlation of in vivo Nm23 acid-stable phosphorylation levels, but not Nm23 NDPK activity, with suppression of tumor metastatic potential among control and nm23-1 transfected murine melanoma cells.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1993

High-level expression in Escherichia coli of the gene coding for the major structural protein (p72) of African swine fever virus.

The gene encoding the major structural protein (p72) of African swine fever virus (ASFV) has been expressed in Escherichia coli using a T7 RNA polymerase system. The use of a recombinant plasmid which contains the entire gene inserted between the T7 promoter and the transcription terminator of the expression vector allowed us to obtain a high expression level of the intact viral protein. This polypeptide, which appears in the insoluble fraction of the bacterial extracts, showed an intense reaction with the antibodies present in the sera of ASFV-infected animals, as demonstrated by Western blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The recombinant protein was purified by size-exclusion high-performance liquid chromatography and used to develop a serological test of the disease.

African Swine Fever↗
PubMed1993

Structure and expression in E. coli of the gene coding for protein p10 of African swine fever virus.

The gene encoding protein p10, a structural protein of African swine fever (ASF) virus, has been mapped, sequenced and expressed in E. coli. Protein p10 was purified from dissociated virus by reverse-phase HPLC, and its NH2-terminal end identified by automated Edman degradation. To map the gene encoding protein p10, a mixture of 20-mer oligonucleotides based upon a part of the amino acid sequence was hybridized to cloned ASF virus restriction fragments. This allowed the localization of the gene in fragment Eco RI K of the ASF virus genome. The nucleotide sequence obtained from this region revealed an open reading frame encoding 78 amino acids, with a high content of Ser and Lys residues. Several of the Ser residues are found in Ser-rich regions, which are also found in some nucleic acid-binding proteins. The gene coding for protein p10 has been inserted in an expression vector which contains the promoter for T7 RNA polymerase. The recombinant plasmid was used to produce the ASF virus protein in E. coli. The bacterially produced p10 protein shows a strong DNA binding activity with similar affinity for both double-stranded and single-stranded DNA.

African Swine Fever Virus↗