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Biomedical subjects

S Netzel-Arnett

Publications and source records attributed to S Netzel-Arnett.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

Hypermethylation of the 5' CpG island of the gene encoding the serine protease Testisin promotes its loss in testicular tumorigenesis.

The Testisin gene (PRSS21) encodes a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-linked serine protease that exhibits testis tissue-specific expression. Loss of Testisin has been implicated in testicular tumorigenesis, but its role in testis biology and tumorigenesis is not known. Here we have investigated the role of CpG methylation in Testisin gene inactivation and tested the hypothesis that Testisin may act as a tumour suppressor for testicular tumorigenesis. Using sequence analysis of bisulphite-treated genomic DNA, we find a strong relationship between hypermethylation of a 385 bp 5' CpG rich island of the Testisin gene, and silencing of the Testisin gene in a range of human tumour cell lines and in 100% (eight/eight) of testicular germ cell tumours. We show that treatment of Testisin-negative cell lines with demethylating agents and/or a histone deacetylase inhibitor results in reactivation of Testisin gene expression, implicating hypermethylation in Testisin gene silencing. Stable expression of Testisin in the Testisin-negative Tera-2 testicular cancer line suppressed tumorigenicity as revealed by inhibition of both anchorage-dependent cell growth and tumour formation in an SCID mouse model of testicular tumorigenesis. Together, these data show that loss of Testisin is caused, at least in part, by DNA hypermethylation and histone deacetylation, and suggest a tumour suppressor role for Testisin in testicular tumorigenesis.

Adult↗

Monocyte membrane type 1-matrix metalloproteinase. Prostaglandin-dependent regulation and role in metalloproteinase-2 activation.

Membrane type 1-matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP)-mediated activation of MMP-2 is thought to be important in the proteolysis of extracellular matrix in pathological events in which monocytes/macrophages are found. Here we report on the induction and regulation of human monocyte MT1-MMP and its role in MMP-2 activation. Activation of monocytes by lipopolysaccharide resulted in the induction of MT1-MMP mRNA and protein that was suppressed by inhibitors of prostaglandin synthesis (indomethacin), adenylyl cyclase (SQ 22536), and protein kinase A (Rp-cAMPs). Suppression of MT1-MMP by indomethacin and SQ 22536 was reversed by prostaglandin E(2) and dibutyryl cyclic AMP, respectively, demonstrating that induction of monocyte MT1-MMP is regulated through a prostaglandin-cAMP pathway. Functional analysis revealed that pro-MMP-2 in the supernatants from human bone marrow stromal fibroblasts, normal male-derived fibroblasts and melanoma cells (A2058) was converted to active MMP-2 when cultured with activated but not control monocytes. Antibodies against MT1-MMP blocked the activation of MMP-2. Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 regulation of MMP-2 activation was shown through the addition of varying amounts of recombinant tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 with pro-MMP-2 to MT1-MMP-expressing monocytes. These findings demonstrate that activated monocytes express functionally active MT1-MMP that may play a significant role in the activation of MMP-2 produced by other cells and as such influence developmental and pathological conditions.

Adenine↗

The urokinase plasminogen activator receptor-associated protein/endo180 is coexpressed with its interaction partners urokinase plasminogen activator receptor and matrix metalloprotease-13 during osteogenesis.

The urokinase plasminogen activator receptor-associated protein/Endo180 (uPARAP/Endo180) is a newly discovered member of the macrophage mannose receptor family that was reported to interact with ligand-bound urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR), matrix metalloprotease-13 (MMP-13), and collagen V on the cell surface. We have determined the sites of expression of this novel receptor during murine postimplantation development. uPARAP/Endo180 was expressed in all tissues undergoing primary ossification, including the developing bones of the viscerocranium and calvarium that ossify intramembranously, and developing long bones undergoing endochondral ossification. uPARAP/Endo180 mRNA was expressed by both immature osteoblasts and by mature osteocalcin-producing osteoblasts-osteocytes, and was coexpressed with MMP-13. Interestingly, osteoblasts also expressed uPAR. Besides bone-forming tissues, uPARAP/Endo180 expression was detected only in a mesenchymal condensation of the midbrain and in the developing lungs. The data suggest a function of this novel protease receptor in bone development, possibly mediated through its interactions with uPAR, MMP-13, or collagen V.

Animals↗

Tumor cell-selective cytotoxicity of matrix metalloproteinase-activated anthrax toxin.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are overexpressed in a variety of tumor tissues and cell lines, and their expression is highly correlated to tumor invasion and metastasis. To exploit these characteristics in the design of tumor cell-selective cytotoxins, we constructed two mutated anthrax toxin protective antigen (PA) proteins in which the furin protease cleavage site is replaced by sequences selectively cleaved by MMPs. These MMP-targeted PA proteins were activated rapidly and selectively on the surface of MMP-overexpressing tumor cells. The activated PA proteins caused internalization of a recombinant cytotoxin, FP59, consisting of anthrax toxin lethal factor residues 1-254 fused to the ADP-ribosylation domain of Pseudomonas exotoxin A. The toxicity of the mutated PA proteins for MMP-overexpressing cells was blocked by hydroxamate inhibitors of MMPs, including BB94, and by a tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMP-2). The mutated PA proteins killed MMP-overexpressing tumor cells while sparing nontumorigenic normal cells when these were grown together in a coculture model, indicating that PA activation occurred on the tumor cell surface and not in the supernatant. This method of achieving cell-type specificity is conceptually distinct from, and potentially synergistic with, the more common strategy of retargeting a protein toxin by fusion to a growth factor, cytokine, or antibody.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Comparative sequence specificities of human 72- and 92-kDa gelatinases (type IV collagenases) and PUMP (matrilysin).

The sequence specificities of human 72-kDa fibroblast gelatinase (type IV collagenase), human 92-kDa neutrophil gelatinase (type IV collagenase), and putative metalloproteinase (PUMP or matrilysin) have been examined by measuring the rate of hydrolysis of over 50 synthetic oligopeptides covering the P4 through P4' subsites of the substrate. The peptides investigated in this paper were those employed in our previous study which systematically examined the sequence specificity of human fibroblast and neutrophil collagenases [Netzel-Arnett et al. (1991) J. Biol. Chem. 266, 6747]. The initial rate of hydrolysis of the P1-P1' bond of each peptide has been measured under first-order conditions ([S0] << KM), and kcat/KM values have been calculated from the initial rates. The specificities of these five metalloproteinases are similar, but distinct, with the largest differences occurring at subsites P1, P1', and P3'. The specificities of the two gelatinases are the most similar to each other. They tolerate only small amino acids such as Gly and Ala in subsite P1. In contrast, larger residues such as Met, Pro, Gln, and Glu are also accommodated well by PUMP. All five enzymes prefer hydrophobic, aliphatic residues in subsite P1'. PUMP exhibits a stronger preference for Leu in this subsite than is shown by the other enzymes. The P3' subsite specificities of the gelatinases and collagenases are very similar but different from those of PUMP which particularly prefers Met in this position. The specificity data from this study allow the design of optimized substrates and selective inhibitors for these metalloproteinases.

Aggrecans↗

Continuously recording fluorescent assays optimized for five human matrix metalloproteinases.

Four new fluorogenic heptapeptide substrates have been synthesized with sequences that are optimized for five human matrix metalloproteinases (MMP). All four substrates are similar to one recently reported by Stack and Gray (1989, J. Biol. Chem. 264, 4277-4281) and have the fluorescent Trp residue in subsite P'2 and the dinitrophenol (DNP) quenching group on the N-terminus. The quenching of the Trp fluorescence in the intact substrate is relieved on hydrolysis of the P1-P'1 bond, giving rise to a continuously recording fluorescence assay. The residues placed in subsites P3-P'1 and P'3 have been optimized for each MMP, while Arg has been placed in P'4 to enhance solubility. Thus, DNP-Pro-Leu-Ala-Leu-Trp-Ala-Arg has been prepared as a substrate for fibroblast collagenase, DNP-Pro-Leu-Ala-Tyr-Trp-Ala-Arg for neutrophil collagenase, DNP-Pro-Tyr-Ala-Tyr-Trp-Met-Arg for neutrophil collagenase, DNP-Pro-Tyr-Ala-Tyr-Trp-Met-Arg for stromelysin, and DNP-Pro-Leu-Gly-Met-Trp-Ser-Arg for both 72-kDa fibroblast gelatinase and 92-kDa neutrophil gelatinase. These substrates have been characterized with respect to their composition, solubility, optical and fluorescence spectra, and hydrolysis by their target MMP. The hydrolysis rates rival or exceed those of either their natural protein substrates or other synthetic peptides. The solubility of each substrate in assay buffer exceeds the KM value for each reaction, allowing accurate determination of the kinetic parameters. These new substrates should greatly facilitate kinetic studies of the MMP.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Sequence specificities of human fibroblast and neutrophil collagenases.

The sequence specificities of human fibroblast and neutrophil collagenases have been investigated by measuring the rate of hydrolysis of 60 synthetic oligopeptides covering the P4 through P'5 subsites of the substrate. The choice of peptides was patterned after both known cleavage sites in noncollagenous proteins and potential cleavage sites (those containing Gly-Ile-Ala, Gly-Leu-Ala, or Gly-Ile-Leu sequences) found in types I, II, III, and IV collagens. The initial rate of hydrolysis of the P1-P'1 bond of each peptide has been measured under first-order conditions ([SO] much less than KM), and kcat/KM values have been calculated from the initial rates. The amino acids in subsites P4 through P'4 all influence the hydrolysis rates for both collagenases. However, the effects of substitutions at each site are distinctive and are consistent with the view that human fibroblast and neutrophil collagenases are homologous but nonidentical enzymes. For peptides with unblocked NH2 and COOH termini, occupancy of subsites P3 through P'3 is necessary for rapid hydrolysis. Compared with the alpha 1(I) cleavage sequence, none of the substitutions investigated at subsites P3, P2, and P'4 produces markedly improved substrates. In contrast, many substitutions at subsites P1, P'1, and P'2 improve specificity. The preferences of both collagenases for alanine in subsite P1 and tryptophan or phenylalanine in subsite P'2, is noteworthy. Human neutrophil collagenase accommodates aromatic residues in subsite P'1 much better than human fibroblast collagenase. The subsite preferences observed for human fibroblast collagenase in these studies agree well with the residues found at cleavage sites in noncollagenous substrates. However, the sequence specificities of these collagenases cannot explain the failure of these enzymes to hydrolyze many potentially cleavable but apparently protected sites in intact collagens. This represents additional support for the notion that the local structure of collagen is important in determining the location of collagenase cleavage sites.

Amino Acid Sequence↗