Mutations in the interglobular domain of aggrecan alter matrix metalloproteinase and aggrecanase cleavage patterns. Evidence that matrix metalloproteinase cleavage interferes with aggrecanase activity.

We have expressed G1-G2 mutants with amino acid changes at the DIPEN(341) downward arrow(342)FFGVG and ITEGE(373) downward arrow(374)ARGSV cleavage sites, in order to investigate the relationship between matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) and aggrecanase activities in the interglobular domain (IGD) of aggrecan. The mutation DIPEN(341) to DIGSA(341) partially blocked cleavage by MMP-13 and MMP-8 at the MMP site, while the mutation (342)FFGVG to (342)GTRVG completely blocked cleavage at this site by MMP-1, -2, -3, -7, -8, -9, -13, -14. Each of the MMP cleavage site mutants, including a four-amino acid deletion mutant lacking residues ENFF(343), were efficiently cleaved by aggrecanase, suggesting that the primary sequence at the MMP site had no effect on aggrecanase activity in the IGD. The mutation (374)ARGSV to (374)NVYSV completely blocked cleavage at the aggrecanase site by aggrecanase, MMP-8 and atrolysin C but had no effect on the ability of MMP-8 and MMP-13 to cleave at the Asn(341) downward arrowPhe bond. Susceptibility to atrolysin C cleavage at the MMP site was conferred in the DIGSA(341) mutant but absent in the wild-type, (342)GTRVG, (374)NVYSV, and deletion mutants. To further explore the relationship between MMP and aggrecanase activities, sequential digest experiments were done in which MMP degradation products were subsequently digested with aggrecanase and vice versa. Aggrecanase-derived G1 domains with ITEGE(373) C termini were viable substrates for MMPs; however, MMP-derived G2 fragments were resistant to cleavage by aggrecanase. A 10-mer peptide FVDIPENFFG, which is a substrate analogue for the MMP cleavage site, inhibited aggrecanase cleavage at the Glu(373) downward arrowAla bond. This study demonstrates that MMPs and aggrecanase have unique substrate recognition in the IGD of aggrecan and suggests that sequences at the C terminus of the DIPEN(341) G1 domain may be important for regulating aggrecanase cleavage.

Matrix metalloproteinases 19 and 20 cleave aggrecan and cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP).

Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-19 and MMP-20 (enamelysin) are two recently discovered members of the MMP family. These enzymes are involved in the degradation of the various components of the extracellular matrix (ECM) during development, haemostasis and pathological conditions. Whereas MMP-19 mRNA is found widely expressed in body tissues, including the synovium of normal and rheumatoid arthritic patients, MMP-20 expression is restricted to the enamel organ. In this study we investigated the ability of MMP-19 and MMP-20 to cleave two of the macromolecules characterising the cartilage ECM, namely aggrecan and the cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP). Both MMPs hydrolysed aggrecan efficiently at the well-described MMP cleavage site between residues Asn(341) and Phe(342), as shown by Western blotting using neo-epitope antibodies. Furthermore, the two enzymes cleaved COMP in a distinctive manner, generating a major proteolytic product of 60 kDa. Our results suggest that MMP-19 may participate in the degradation of aggrecan and COMP in arthritic disease, whereas MMP-20, due to its unique expression pattern, may primarily be involved in the turnover of these molecules during tooth development.

Recombinant human aggrecan G1-G2 exhibits native binding properties and substrate specificity for matrix metalloproteinases and aggrecanase.

A recombinant human aggrecan G1-G2 fragment comprising amino acids Val(1)-Arg(656) has been expressed in Sf21 cells using a baculovirus expression system. The recombinant G1-G2 (rG1-G2) was purified to homogeneity by hyaluronan-Sepharose affinity chromatography followed by high performance liquid chromatography gel filtration, and gave a single band of M(r) 90,000-95,000 by silver stain or immunoblotting with monoclonal antibody 1-C-6. The expressed G1-G2 bound to both hyaluronan and link protein indicating that the immunoglobulin-fold motif and proteoglycan tandem repeat loops of the G1 domain were correctly folded. Further analysis of secondary structure by rotary shadowing electron microscopy confirmed a double globe appearance, but revealed that the rG1-G2 was more compact than its native counterpart. The size of rG1-G2 by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electorphoresis was unchanged following digestion with keratanase and keratanase II and reduced by only 2-5 kDa following digestion with either O-glycosidase or N-glycosidase F. Recombinant G1-G2 was digested with purified matrix metalloproteinases (MMP), isolated aggrecanase, purified atrolysin C, or proteinases present in conditioned medium from cartilage explant cultures, and the products analyzed on SDS gels by silver stain and immunoblotting. Neoepitope antibodies recognizing the N-terminal F(342)FGVG or C-terminal DIPEN(341) sequences were used to confirm MMP cleavage at the Asn(341) downward arrow Phe bond, while neoepitope antibodies recognizing the N-terminal A(374)RGSV or C-terminal ITEGE(373) sequences were used to confirm aggrecanase cleavage at the Glu(373) downward arrow Ala bond. Cleavage at the authentic MMP and aggrecanase sites revealed that these proteinases have the same specificity for rG1-G2 as for native aggrecan. Incubation of rG1-G2 with conditioned medium from porcine cartilage cultures revealed that active soluble aggrecanase but no active MMPs, was released following stimulation with interleukin-1alpha or retinoic acid. Atrolysin C, which cleaves native bovine aggrecan at both the aggrecanase and MMP sites, efficiently cleaved rG1-G2 at the aggrecanase site but failed to cleave at the MMP site. In contrast, native glycosylated G1-G2 with or without keratanase treatment was cleaved by atrolysin C at both the aggrecanase and MMP sites. The results suggest that the presence or absence per se of keratan sulfate on native G1-G2 does not affect the activity of atrolysin C toward the two sites.

Identification and localization of insulin-like growth factor-binding protein (IGFBP) messenger RNAs in human hair follicle dermal papilla.

The role of the insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) in hair follicle biology has recently been recognized, although their actions, sites of production, and modulation by the insulin-like growth factor-binding proteins (IGFBPs) have not to date been defined. IGF-I is essential for normal hair growth and development, and may be important in regulation of the hair growth cycle. In many culture systems, IGF-I actions are modulated by the IGFBPs. Thus, if IGFBPs are produced in the human hair follicle, they may play a role in targeting IGF-I to its receptor or may modulate IGF-I action by interaction with matrix proteins. We have used in situ hybridization to localize messenger RNA for the six IGFBPs in anagen hair follicles. Anti-sense and sense RNA probes for the IGFBPs (IGFBP-1 to -6) were produced, and 5-micrometer sections of adult facial skin were probed. Messenger RNA for IGFBP-3, -4, and -5 were identified, with predominantly IGFBP-3 and -5 mRNA found in the dermal papilla, and to a lesser extent IGFBP-4 mRNA. IGFBP-4 mRNA was also found at the dermal papilla/epithelial matrix border. Messenger RNAs for both IGFBP-4 and -5 were also demonstrated in the dermal sheath surrounding the hair follicle. Messenger RNAs for IGFBP-1, -2, and -6 were not identified. These studies demonstrate specific localization of IGFBP mRNAs in hair follicles, suggesting that they each play specific roles in the local modulation of IGF action during the hair growth cycle.

Autophosphorylation of PC-1 (alkaline phosphodiesterase I/nucleotide pyrophosphatase) and analysis of the active site.

PC-1 is an ecto-enzyme possessing alkaline phosphodiesterase I (EC 3.1.4.1) and nucleotide pyrophosphatase (EC 3.6.1.9) activities. It has also been proposed to be an ecto-protein kinase capable of phosphorylating itself as well as exogenous proteins. We have investigated the phosphorylation capability of PC-1 and have developed a novel method for its detection and characterization based on autophosphorylation, which allows detection without the use of antibodies. When cells expressing membrane PC-1 were held on ice with [gamma-32P]ATP, SDS/PAGE of whole cell lysates showed a single band which was PC-1; this band was absent in cells not expressing PC-1. Immunoprecipitates of soluble PC-1 isolated from culture supernatants of cells expressing PC-1 were also capable of autophosphorylation, and the size of the labeled protein was the same as previously reported for soluble PC-1. PC-1 was also labeled with [alpha-32P]ATP and [35S]dATP[alpha S]. We found no evidence that PC-1 was capable of phosphorylating proteins other than itself, and conclude that it is not a true kinase, and that the observed labeling with [gamma-32P]ATP, [alpha-32P]ATP and [35S]dATP[alpha S] reflect transient covalent adducts that are part of the catalytic cycle of phosphodiesterase/pyrophosphatase activity rather than intrinsic kinase activity. Mutation of the active-site threonine to tyrosine, serine or alanine reduced the 5'-nucleotide phosphodiesterase activity of PC-1 and its ability to autophosphorylate to undetectable levels. Together, these data suggest that both activities depend on the same site.

Localization of messenger ribonucleic acid for insulin-like growth factor-binding proteins in human skin by in situ hybridization.

The role of the insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) in human skin physiology has been increasingly recognized, although relatively little is known about the cell types involved or the cellular mechanisms that mediate these responses. Epidermal keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts both possess IGF-I receptors and are responsive to IGF-I. IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs), known modulators of IGF action, may also be responsible for targeting IGF-I to its receptors and are produced by both cultured keratinocytes and fibroblasts. To demonstrate sites of production of IGFBPs in human skin, we have used in situ hybridization to localize messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) for the six IGFBPs. Antisense and sense RNA probes for the IGFBPs (IGFBP-1 to -6) were produced, and 5-microns sections of normal adult human male chest skin were probed. The control probe used was keratin-5, which is known to hybridize to the basal keratinocytes of the epidermis. mRNAs for human IGFBP-2, -3, -4, and -5 were identified, with mRNAs for IGFBP-2 and IGFBP-4 localized in sebaceous glands and eccrine sweat glands (epidermal origin), IGFBP-3 mRNA in the basal layer of the epidermis and mRNAs for IGFBP-4, and IGFBP-5 found throughout the dermis. mRNAs for IGFBP-1 and -6 were not identified in human skin. These studies demonstrate specific localization of IGFBP mRNAs in adult human skin, suggesting that each IGFBP may play a specific role in targeting IGF-I to its receptor on responsive cells and, ultimately, in modulation of IGF-I action in skin.

Identification, localization, and regulation of insulin-like growth factor binding proteins and their messenger ribonucleic acids in the newborn rat olfactory bulb.

Insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs) have been identified in most tissues, including the central nervous system, where the major IGFBPs have been localized. The regulation and roles of IGFBPs in IGF action in the developing brain remain unclear. In this study we examined the expression and anatomical distribution of IGFBP messenger RNAs (mRNAs) in the newborn rat olfactory bulb (OB) during the first postnatal week. We used our recently developed newborn rat OB organ culture system, which emulates the first week of in vivo development, to identify and characterize expressed and secreted IGFBPs and to determine the role of the local growth factors IGF-I and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in their regulation. Postnatal day 1 rat OBs were cultured serum free for 6 days in the absence or presence of IGF-I (150 ng/ml) and bFGF (25 ng/ml), alone or in combination, as previously shown by us to maintain morphology and differentiation of neuronal and glial cells. Conditioned medium was subjected to sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western ligand blotting using [125I]IGF-I, and IGFBPs were characterized by immunoprecipitation. Western ligand blotting of conditioned medium revealed two bands at 24 kilodaltons (kDa) and 30 kDa and a doublet at 38-42 kDa. All bands were enhanced by IGF-I treatment, whereas bFGF enhanced the 24-kDa and 30-kDa bands only. In combination, IGF-I and bFGF enhanced all four bands above that seen with either growth factor alone. Total RNA was extracted from fresh day 1, day 6, and cultured OBs for Northern blotting using complementary DNA probes for IGFBP-2, -3, -4, and -5. In fresh day 1 OBs, mRNA was detected for IGFBP-2, -4, and -5, but not for IGFBP-3. In fresh day 6 OBs IGFBP-2 mRNA was more abundant, whereas IGFBP-4 mRNA showed lower expression than at day 1, and IGFBP-5 mRNA was similarly expressed. When day 1 OBs were cultured for 6 days, mRNA was also readily detected for IGFBP-2, -4, and -5, but not for IGFBP-3. All detected mRNA species were enhanced by IGF-I. Basic FGF enhanced IGFBP-2 mRNA whether alone or in combination with IGF-I and enhanced only IGFBP-4 mRNA when given alone. IGFBP-5 mRNA was not affected by bFGF alone, but its enhancement by IGF-I was attenuated by bFGF. Sites of transcription of IGFBP and IGF-I mRNAs were located by in situ hybridization in both fresh and cultured bulbs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)