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Toni M Antalis

Publications and source records attributed to Toni M Antalis.

12 recordsLinked to original sources

Evidence for a matriptase-prostasin proteolytic cascade regulating terminal epidermal differentiation.

Recent gene ablation studies in mice have shown that matriptase, a type II transmembrane serine protease, and prostasin, a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored membrane serine protease, are both required for processing of the epidermis-specific polyprotein, profilaggrin, stratum corneum formation, and acquisition of epidermal barrier function. Here we present evidence that matriptase acts upstream of prostasin in a zymogen activation cascade that regulates terminal epidermal differentiation and is required for prostasin zymogen activation. Enzymatic gene trapping of matriptase combined with prostasin immunohistochemistry revealed that matriptase was co-localized with prostasin in transitional layer cells of the epidermis and that the developmental onset of expression of the two membrane proteases was coordinated and correlated with acquisition of epidermal barrier function. Purified soluble matriptase efficiently converted soluble prostasin zymogen to an active two-chain form that formed SDS-stable complexes with the serpin protease nexin-1. Whereas two forms of prostasin with molecular weights corresponding to the prostasin zymogen and active prostasin were present in wild type epidermis, prostasin was exclusively found in the zymogen form in matriptase-deficient epidermis. These data suggest that matriptase, an autoactivating protease, acts upstream from prostasin to initiate a zymogen cascade that is essential for epidermal differentiation.

Animals↗

SerpinB2 is an inducible host factor involved in enhancing HIV-1 transcription and replication.

The serine protease inhibitor SerpinB2 (plasminogen activator inhibitor-2) is a major product of activated monocytes and macrophages and is substantially induced during most inflammatory processes. Distinct from its widely described extracellular role as an inhibitor of urokinase plasminogen activator, SerpinB2 has recently been shown to have an intracellular role as a retinoblastoma protein (Rb)-binding protein that inhibits Rb degradation. Here we show that HIV-1 infection and gp120 treatment of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells resulted in induction of SerpinB2. Furthermore, SerpinB2 expression in THP-1 monocyte/macrophage, Jurkat T, and HeLa cell lines increased replication of HIV-1 and enhanced transcription from the HIV-1 long terminal repeat (LTR) promoter by 3-10-fold. Increased HIV-1 gene expression and transcription was also observed in activated macrophages from SerpinB2+/+ mice compared with macrophages from SerpinB2-/- mice. The SerpinB2-mediated elevation of Rb protein levels appeared to be responsible for enhancing transcription from the core promoter region of the LTR by relieving HDM2-mediated inhibition of Sp1 and/or by increasing the Sp1/Sp3 expression ratios. This is the first report associating HIV-1 replication with SerpinB2 expression and illustrates that SerpinB2 is a potentially important inducible host factor that significantly promotes HIV-1 replication.

Animals↗

Matriptase-3 is a novel phylogenetically preserved membrane-anchored serine protease with broad serpin reactivity.

We report in the present study the bioinformatic identification, molecular cloning and biological characterization of matriptase-3, a novel membrane-anchored serine protease that is phylogenetically preserved in fish, birds, rodents, canines and primates. The gene encoding matriptase-3 is located on syntenic regions of human chromosome 3q13.2, mouse chromosome 16B5, rat chromosome 11q21 and chicken chromosome 1. Bioinformatic analysis combined with cDNA cloning predicts a functional TTSP (type II transmembrane serine protease) with 31% amino acid identity with both matriptase/MT-SP1 and matriptase-2. This novel protease is composed of a short N-terminal cytoplasmic region followed by a transmembrane domain, a stem region with one SEA, two CUB and three LDLRa (low-density lipoprotein receptor domain class A) domains and a C-terminal catalytic serine protease domain. Transcript analysis revealed restricted, species-conserved expression of matriptase-3, with the highest mRNA levels in brain, skin, reproductive and oropharyngeal tissues. The full-length matriptase-3 cDNA directed the expression of a 90 kDa N-glycosylated protein that localized to the cell surface, as assessed by cell-surface biotin labelling. The purified activated matriptase-3 serine protease domain expressed in insect cells hydrolysed synthetic peptide substrates, with a strong preference for Arg at position P(1), and showed proteolytic activity towards several macromolecular substrates, including gelatin, casein and albumin. Interestingly, activated matriptase-3 formed stable inhibitor complexes with an array of serpins, including plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, protein C inhibitor, alpha1-proteinase inhibitor, alpha2-antiplasmin and antithrombin III. Our study identifies matriptase-3 as a novel biologically active TTSP of the matriptase subfamily having a unique expression pattern and post-translational regulation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Silencing of integrated human papillomavirus type 18 oncogene transcription in cells expressing SerpinB2.

The serine protease inhibitor SerpinB2 (PAI-2), a major product of differentiating squamous epithelial cells, has recently been shown to bind and protect the retinoblastoma protein (Rb) from degradation. In human papillomavirus type 18 (HPV-18)-transformed epithelial cells the expression of the E6 and E7 oncoproteins is controlled by the HPV-18 upstream regulatory region (URR). Here we illustrate that PAI-2 expression in the HPV-18-transformed cervical carcinoma line HeLa resulted in the restoration of Rb expression, which led to the functional silencing of transcription from the HPV-18 URR. This caused loss of E7 protein expression and restoration of multiple E6- and E7-targeted host proteins, including p53, c-Myc, and c-Jun. Rb expression emerged as sufficient for the transcriptional repression of the URR, with repression mediated via the C/EBPbeta-YY1 binding site (URR 7709 to 7719). In contrast to HeLa cells, where the C/EBPbeta-YY1 dimer binds this site, in PAI-2- and/or Rb-expressing cells the site was occupied by the dominant-negative C/EBPbeta isoform liver-enriched transcriptional inhibitory protein (LIP). PAI-2 expression thus has a potent suppressive effect on HPV-18 oncogene transcription mediated by Rb and LIP, a finding with potential implications for prognosis and treatment of HPV-transformed lesions.

Binding Sites↗

Mouse DESC1 is located within a cluster of seven DESC1-like genes and encodes a type II transmembrane serine protease that forms serpin inhibitory complexes.

We report the identification and functional analysis of a type II transmembrane serine protease encoded by the mouse differentially expressed in squamous cell carcinoma (DESC) 1 gene, and the definition of a cluster of seven homologous DESC1-like genes within a 0.5-Mb region of mouse chromosome 5E1. This locus is syntenic to a region of human chromosome 4q13.3 containing the human orthologues of four of the mouse DESC1-like genes. Bioinformatic analysis indicated that all seven DESC1-like genes encode functional proteases. Direct cDNA cloning showed that mouse DESC1 encodes a multidomain serine protease with an N-terminal signal anchor, a SEA (sea urchin sperm protein, enterokinase, and agrin) domain, and a C-terminal serine protease domain. The mouse DESC1 mRNA was present in epidermal, oral, and male reproductive tissues and directed the translation of a membrane-associated 60-kDa N-glycosylated protein with type II topology. Mouse DESC1 was synthesized in insect cells as a zymogen that could be activated by exposure to trypsin. The purified activated DESC1 hydrolyzed synthetic peptide substrates, showing a preference for Arg in the P1 position. DESC1 proteolytic activity was abolished by generic inhibitors of serine proteases but not by other classes of protease inhibitors. Most interestingly, DESC1 formed stable inhibitory complexes with both plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and protein C inhibitor that are expressed in the same tissues with DESC1, suggesting that type II transmembrane serine proteases may be novel targets for serpin inhibition. Together, these data show that mouse DESC1 encodes a functional cell surface serine protease that may have important functions in the epidermis, oral, and reproductive epithelium.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Serpin mutagenesis.

Mutagenesis represents a powerful methodology for the analysis of protein structural and functional relationships and dissection of complex protein-protein interactions. The suicide substrate-like inhibitory mechanism of the proteins of the serpin superfamily offers unique challenges for the design of mutagenesis studies. All serpins share a well-characterized core structure and most adopt a metastable conformation that is required for inhibitory activity. Mutagenesis studies focused on the reactive center loop, the hinge region, protease-binding exo-sites, conformational stability, and accessory ligand binding domains have led to a well-established serpin inhibitory mechanism and have defined specific biological interactions and functions for a number of serpins in development, homeostasis, and host defense. Nonetheless, great care must be taken in the design and interpretation of serpin mutagenesis studies, since the rapid conformational changes that occur during serpin inhibition can be affected at many levels.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Expression of the CD44v2-10 isoform confers a metastatic phenotype: importance of the heparan sulfate attachment site CD44v3.

We expressed the full-length CD44v2-10 isoform in SKHep1 cells, a nonmetastatic human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line that does not express any endogenous CD44v isoforms. In SCID mice, expression of CD44v2-10 by SKHep1 cells had no effect on s.c. primary tumor development but caused pulmonary metastases in 41% (7 of 17) of animals compared with control SKHep1 cells (0 of 16; P < 0.01). CD44v2-10 expression by SKHep1 cells resulted in enhanced heparan sulfate (HS) attachment and an enhanced capacity to bind heparin-binding growth factors. Mutation of the v3 domain to prevent HS attachment and growth factor binding abolished the metastatic phenotype, demonstrating that HS modification of CD44v2-10 plays a critical role in the development of metastases in this model. However, in vitro proliferation, motility, and invasion were not altered by CD44v2-10 expression.

Alternative Splicing↗

Inhibition of retinoblastoma protein degradation by interaction with the serpin plasminogen activator inhibitor 2 via a novel consensus motif.

Plasminogen activator inhibitor-2 (PAI-2) is well documented as an inhibitor of the extracellular serine proteinase urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and is expressed in activated monocytes and macrophages, differentiating keratinocytes, and many tumors. Here we show that PAI-2 has a novel intracellular function as a retinoblastoma protein (Rb)-binding protein. PAI-2 colocalized with Rb in the nucleus and inhibited the turnover of Rb, which led to increases in Rb protein levels and Rb-mediated activities. Although PAI-2 contains an LXCXE motif, Rb binding was primarily mediated by the C-D interhelical region of PAI-2, which was found to bind to the C pocket of Rb. The C-D interhelical region of PAI-2 contained a novel Rb-binding motif, termed the PENF homology motif, which is shared by many cellular and viral Rb-binding proteins. PAI-2 expression also protected Rb from the accelerated degradation mediated by human papillomavirus (HPV) E7, leading to recovery of Rb and inhibition of E6/E7 mRNA expression. Protection of Rb by PAI-2 begins to explain many of the diverse, uPA-independent phenotypes conferred by PAI-2 expression. These results indicate that PAI-2 may enhance Rb's tumor suppressor activity and suggest a potential therapeutic role for PAI-2 against HPV-transformed lesions.

Amino Acid Motifs↗

Type II transmembrane serine proteases.

The recent availability of human and mouse genome sequences and expressed sequence tag databases facilitated the identification of a large new family of membrane anchored serine proteases, the type II transmembrane serine proteases or TTSPs. Analyses of human inherited disorders and gene targeting studies in mice have revealed that several members of this new protease family have critical functions in development and health. Preliminary studies also suggest that aberrant expression of type II transmembrane serine proteases may be linked to disease progression. The knowledge gathered thus far of the genetics, physiology, and pathology of this interesting new serine protease family will be reviewed here in brief.

Animals↗

Endothelial cell serine proteases expressed during vascular morphogenesis and angiogenesis.

Many serine proteases play important regulatory roles in complex biological systems, but only a few have been linked directly with capillary morphogenesis and angiogenesis. Here we provide evidence that serine protease activities, independent of the plasminogen activation cascade, are required for microvascular endothelial cell reorganization and capillary morphogenesis in vitro. A homology cloning approach targeting conserved motifs present in all serine proteases, was used to identify candidate serine proteases involved in these processes, and revealed 5 genes (acrosin, testisin, neurosin, PSP and neurotrypsin), none of which had been associated previously with expression in endothelial cells. A subsequent gene-specific RT-PCR screen for 22 serine proteases confirmed expression of these 5 genes and identified 7 additional serine protease genes expressed by human endothelial cells, urokinase-type plasminogen activator, protein C, TMPRSS2, hepsin, matriptase/MT-SP1, dipeptidylpeptidase IV, and seprase. Differences in serine protease gene expression between microvascular and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were identified and several serine protease genes were found to be regulated by the nature of the substratum, ie. artificial basement membrane or fibrillar type I collagen. mRNA transcripts of several serine protease genes were associated with blood vessels in vivo by in situ hybridization of human tissue specimens. These data suggest a potential role for serine proteases, not previously associated with endothelium, in vascular function and angiogenesis.

Acrosin↗

Membrane anchored serine proteases: a rapidly expanding group of cell surface proteolytic enzymes with potential roles in cancer.

Dysregulated proteolysis is a hallmark of cancer. Malignant cells require a range of proteolytic activities to enable growth, survival, and expansion. Serine proteases of the S1 or trypsin-like family have well recognized roles in the maintenance of normal homeostasis as well as in the pathology of diseases such as cancer. Recently a rapidly expanding subgroup of S1 proteases has been recognized that are directly anchored to plasma membranes. These membrane anchored serine proteases are anchored either via a carboxy-terminal transmembrane domain (Type I), a carboxy terminal hydrophobic region that functions as a signal for membrane attachment via a glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol linkage (GPI-anchored), or via an amino terminal proximal transmembrane domain (Type II or TTSP). The TTSPs also encode multiple domains in their stem regions that may function in regulatory interactions. The serine protease catalytic domains of these enzymes show high homology but also possess features indicating unique substrate specificities. It is likely that the membrane anchored serine proteases have evolved to perform complex functions in the regulation of cellular signaling events at the plasma membrane and within the extracellular matrix. Disruption or mutation of several of the genes encoding these proteases are associated with disease. Many of the membrane anchored serine proteases show restricted tissue distribution in normal cells, but their expression is widely dysregulated during tumor growth and progression. Diagnostic or therapeutic targeting of the membrane anchored serine proteases has potential as promising new approaches for the treatment of cancer and other diseases.

Amino Acid Sequence↗