Stromelysin-1: three-dimensional structure of the inhibited catalytic domain and of the C-truncated proenzyme.

The proteolytic enzyme stromelysin-1 is a member of the family of matrix metalloproteinases and is believed to play a role in pathological conditions such as arthritis and tumor invasion. Stromelysin-1 is synthesized as a pro-enzyme that is activated by removal of an N-terminal prodomain. The active enzyme contains a catalytic domain and a C-terminal hemopexin domain believed to participate in macromolecular substrate recognition. We have determined the three-dimensional structures of both a C-truncated form of the proenzyme and an inhibited complex of the catalytic domain by X-ray diffraction analysis. The catalytic core is very similar in the two forms and is similar to the homologous domain in fibroblast and neutrophil collagenases, as well as to the stromelysin structure determined by NMR. The prodomain is a separate folding unit containing three alpha-helices and an extended peptide that lies in the active site of the enzyme. Surprisingly, the amino-to-carboxyl direction of this peptide chain is opposite to that adopted by the inhibitor and by previously reported inhibitors of collagenase. Comparison of the active site of stromelysin with that of thermolysin reveals that most of the residues proposed to play significant roles in the enzymatic mechanism of thermolysin have equivalents in stromelysin, but that three residues implicated in the catalytic mechanism of thermolysin are not represented in stromelysin.

Inhibition of matrix metalloproteinases by N-carboxyalkyl peptides.

An extensive study of the requirements for effective binding of N-carboxyalkyl peptides to human stromelysin, collagenase, and to a lesser extent, gelatinase A has been investigated. These efforts afforded inhibitors generally in the 100-400 nM range for these matrix metalloproteinases. The most significant increase in potency was obtained with the introduction of a beta-phenylethyl group at the P1' position, suggesting a small hydrophobic channel into the S1' subsite of stromelysin. One particular compound, N-[1(R)-carboxyethyl]-alpha(S)-(2-phenylethyl)glycyl-L-leucine,N- phenylamide (79a), is relatively selective for rabbit stromelysin with a K(i) = 6.5 nM and may prove useful for elucidating the role of endogenously-produced stromelysin in lapine models of tissue degradation.

Inhibition of stromelysin-1 (MMP-3) by P1'-biphenylylethyl carboxyalkyl dipeptides.

Carboxyalkyl peptides containing a biphenylylethyl group at the P1' position were found to be potent inhibitors of stromelysin-1 (MMP-3) and gelatinase A (MMP-2), in the range of 10-50 nM, but poor inhibitors of collagenase (MMP-1). Combination of a biphenylylethyl moiety at P1', a tert-butyl group at P2', and a methyl group at P3' produced orally bioavailable inhibitors as measured by an in vivo model of MMP-3 degradation of radiolabeled transferrin in the mouse pleural cavity. The X-ray structure of a complex of a P1-biphenyl inhibitor and the catalytic domain of MMP-3 is described. Inhibitors that contained halogenated biphenylylethyl residues at P1' proved to be superior in terms of enzyme potency and oral activity with 2(R)-[2-(4'-fluoro-4-biphenylyl)ethyl]-4(S)-n-butyl-1,5-pentane dioic acid 1-(alpha(S)-tert-butylglycine methylamide) amide (L-758,354, 26) having a Ki of 10 nM against MMP-3 and an ED50 of 11 mg/kg po in the mouse pleural cavity assay. This compound was evaluated in acute (MMP-3 and IL-1 beta injection in the rabbit) and chronic (rat adjuvant-induced arthritis and mouse collagen-induced arthritis) models of cartilage destruction but showed activity only in the MMP-3 injection model (ED50 = 6 mg/kg iv).

Secondary structure and zinc ligation of human recombinant short-form stromelysin by multidimensional heteronuclear NMR.

Stromelysin-1, a member of the matrix metalloendoprotease family, is a zinc protease involved in the degradation of connective tissue in the extracellular matrix. As a step toward determining the structure of this protein, multidimensional heteronuclear NMR experiments have been applied to an inhibited truncated form of human stromelysin-1. Extensive 1H, 13C, and 15N sequential assignments have been obtained with a combination of three- and four-dimensional experiments. On the basis of sequential and short-range NOEs and 13C alpha chemical shifts, two helices have been delineated, spanning residues Asp-111 to Val-127 and Leu-195 to Ser-206. A third helix spanning residues Asp-238 to Gly-247 is characterized by sequential NOEs and 13C alpha chemical shifts, but not short-range NOEs. The lack of the latter NOEs suggests that this helix is either distorted or mobile. Similarly, sequential and interstrand NOEs and 13C alpha chemical shifts characterize a four-stranded beta-sheet with three parallel strands (Arg-100 to Ile-101, Ile-142 to Ala-147, Asp-177 to Asp-181) and one antiparallel strand (Ala-165 to Tyr-168). Two zinc sites have been identified in stromelysin [Salowe et al. (1992) Biochemistry 31, 4535-4540]. The NMR spectral properties, including chemical shift, pH dependence, and proton coupling of the imidazole nitrogens of six histidine residues (151, 166, 179, 201, 205, and 211), invariant in the matrix metalloendoprotease family, suggest that these residues are zinc ligands. NOE data indicate that these histidines form two clusters: one ligates the catalytic zinc (His-201, -205, and -211), and the other ligates a structural zinc (His-151, -166, and -179). Heteronuclear multiple quantum correlated spectra and specific labeling experiments indicate His-151, -179, -201, -205, and -211 are in the N delta 1H tautomer and His-166 is in the N epsilon 2H tautomer.

The NMR structure of the inhibited catalytic domain of human stromelysin-1.

The three-dimensional structure of the catalytic domain of stromelysin-1 complexed with an N-carboxyl alkyl inhibitor has been determined by NMR methods. The global fold consists of three helices, a five stranded beta-sheet and a methionine located in a turn near the catalytic histidines, classifying stromelysin-1 as a metzincin. Stromelysin-1 is unique in having two independent zinc binding sites: a catalytic site and a structural site. The inhibitor binds in an extended conformation. The S1' subsite is a deep hydrophobic pocket, whereas S2' appears shallow and S3' open.

Substituted 2-aminopyridines as inhibitors of nitric oxide synthases.

A series of substituted 2-aminopyridines was prepared and evaluated as inhibitors of human nitric oxide synthases (NOS). 4,6-Disubstitution enhanced both potency and specificity for the inducible NOS with the most potent compound having an IC50 of 28 nM.