Serine proteases and protease-activated receptor 2 mediate the proinflammatory and algesic actions of diverse stimulants.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Although serine proteases and agonists of protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR2) cause inflammation and pain, the spectrum of proteases that are activated by proinflammatory and algesic stimuli and their contribution to inflammatory pain are uncertain. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Enzymic assays and selective inhibitors were used to characterize protease activity in mice after intraplantar injections of formalin, bradykinin, PAR2 activating peptide (AP) or vehicle. The capacity of these proteases and of recombinant mouse trypsin 4 to cleave fragments of PAR2 and to activate PAR2 in cell lines was determined. Protease inhibitors and par2 (-/-) mice were used to assess the contributions of proteases and PAR2 to pain and inflammation. KEY RESULTS: Intraplantar injection of formalin, bradykinin or PAR2-AP led to the activation of proteases that were susceptible to the serine protease inhibitor melagatran but resistant to soybean trypsin inhibitor (SBTI). Melagatran inhibited mouse trypsin 4, which degraded SBTI. Proteases generated in inflamed tissues cleaved PAR2-derived peptides. These proteases and trypsin 4 increased [Ca(2+) ]i in PAR2-transfected but not in untransfected cells, and melagatran suppressed this activity. Melagatran or PAR2 deletion suppressed oedema and mechanical hypersensitivity induced by intraplantar formalin, bradykinin and PAR2-AP, but had no effect on capsaicin-induced pain. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Diverse proinflammatory and algesic agents activate melagatran-sensitive serine proteases that cause inflammation and pain by a PAR2-mediated mechanism. By inducing self-activating proteases, PAR2 amplifies and sustains inflammation and pain. Serine protease inhibitors can attenuate the inflammatory and algesic effects of diverse stimuli, representing a useful therapeutic strategy.

Roles of proteolysis in regulation of GPCR function.

The enzymatic activity of peptidases must be tightly regulated to prevent uncontrolled hydrolysis of peptide bonds, which could have devastating effects on biological systems. Peptidases are often generated as inactive propeptidases, secreted with endogenous inhibitors, or they are compartmentalized. Propeptidases become active after proteolytic removal of N-terminal activation peptides by other peptidases. Some peptidases only become active towards substrates only at certain pHs, thus confining activity to specific compartments or conditions. This review discusses the different roles proteolysis plays in regulating GPCRs. At the cell-surface, certain GPCRs are regulated by the hydrolytic inactivation of bioactive peptides by membrane-anchored peptidases, which prevent signalling. Conversely, cell-surface peptidases can also generate bioactive peptides, which directly activate GPCRs. Alternatively, cell-surface peptidases activated by GPCRs, can generate bioactive peptides to cause transactivation of receptor tyrosine kinases, thereby promoting signalling. Certain peptidases can signal directly to cells, by cleaving GPCR to initiate intracellular signalling cascades. Intracellular peptidases also regulate GPCRs; lysosomal peptidases destroy GPCRs in lysosomes to permanently terminate signalling and mediate down-regulation; endosomal peptidases cleave internalized peptide agonists to regulate GPCR recycling, resensitization and signalling; and soluble intracellular peptidases also participate in GPCR function by regulating the ubiquitination state of GPCRs, thereby altering GPCR signalling and fate. Although the use of peptidase inhibitors has already brought success in the treatment of diseases such as hypertension, the discovery of new regulatory mechanisms involving proteolysis that control GPCRs may provide additional targets to modulate dysregulated GPCR signalling in disease.

Endosomal proteolysis regulates calcitonin gene-related peptide responses in mesenteric arteries.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is a potent vasodilator, implicated in the pathogenesis of migraine. CGRP activates a receptor complex comprising, calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CLR) and receptor activity-modifying protein 1 (RAMP1). In vitro studies indicate recycling of CLR●RAMP1 is regulated by degradation of CGRP in early endosomes by endothelin-converting enzyme-1 (ECE-1). However, it is not known if ECE-1 regulates the resensitization of CGRP-induced responses in functional arterial tissue. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: CLR, ECE-1a-d and RAMP1 expression in rat mesenteric artery smooth muscle cells (RMA-SMCs) and mesenteric arteries was analysed by RT-PCR and by immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy. CGRP-induced signalling in cells was examined by measuring cAMP production and ERK activation. CGRP-induced relaxation of arteries was measured by isometric wire myography. ECE-1 was inhibited using the specific inhibitor, SM-19712. KEY RESULTS: RMA-SMCs and arteries contained mRNA for CLR, ECE-1a-d and RAMP1. ECE-1 was present in early endosomes of RMA-SMCs and in the smooth muscle layer of arteries. CGRP induced endothelium-independent relaxation of arteries. ECE-1 inhibition had no effect on initial CGRP-induced responses but reduced cAMP generation in RMA-SMCs and vasodilation in mesenteric arteries responses to subsequent CGRP challenges. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: ECE-1 regulated the resensitization of responses to CGRP in RMA-SMCs and mesenteric arteries. CGRP-induced relaxation did not involve endothelium-derived pathways. This is the first report of ECE-1 regulating CGRP responses in SMCs and arteries. ECE-1 inhibitors may attenuate an important vasodilatory pathway, implicated in primary headaches and may represent a new therapeutic approach for the treatment of migraine.

Expression and function of the bile acid receptor GpBAR1 (TGR5) in the murine enteric nervous system.

BACKGROUND: Bile acids (BAs) regulate cells by activating nuclear and membrane-bound receptors. G protein coupled bile acid receptor 1 (GpBAR1) is a membrane-bound G-protein-coupled receptor that can mediate the rapid, transcription-independent actions of BAs. Although BAs have well-known actions on motility and secretion, nothing is known about the localization and function of GpBAR1 in the gastrointestinal tract. METHODS: We generated an antibody to the C-terminus of human GpBAR1, and characterized the antibody by immunofluorescence and Western blotting of HEK293-GpBAR1-GFP cells. We localized GpBAR1 immunoreactivity (IR) and mRNA in the mouse intestine, and determined the mechanism by which BAs activate GpBAR1 to regulate intestinal motility. KEY RESULTS: The GpBAR1 antibody specifically detected GpBAR1-GFP at the plasma membrane of HEK293 cells, and interacted with proteins corresponding in mass to the GpBAR1-GFP fusion protein. GpBAR1-IR and mRNA were detected in enteric ganglia of the mouse stomach and small and large intestine, and in the muscularis externa and mucosa of the small intestine. Within the myenteric plexus of the intestine, GpBAR1-IR was localized to approximately 50% of all neurons and to >80% of inhibitory motor neurons and descending interneurons expressing nitric oxide synthase. Deoxycholic acid, a GpBAR1 agonist, caused a rapid and sustained inhibition of spontaneous phasic activity of isolated segments of ileum and colon by a neurogenic, cholinergic and nitrergic mechanism, and delayed gastrointestinal transit. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: G protein coupled bile acid receptor 1 is unexpectedly expressed in enteric neurons. Bile acids activate GpBAR1 on inhibitory motor neurons to release nitric oxide and suppress motility, revealing a novel mechanism for the actions of BAs on intestinal motility.

Endothelin-converting enzyme 1 promotes re-sensitization of neurokinin 1 receptor-dependent neurogenic inflammation.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The metalloendopeptidase endothelin-converting enzyme 1 (ECE-1) is prominently expressed in the endothelium where it converts big endothelin to endothelin-1, a vasoconstrictor peptide. Although ECE-1 is found in endosomes in endothelial cells, the role of endosomal ECE-1 is unclear. ECE-1 degrades the pro-inflammatory neuropeptide substance P (SP) in endosomes to promote recycling and re-sensitization of its neurokinin 1 (NK(1)) receptor. We investigated whether ECE-1 regulates NK(1) receptor re-sensitization and the pro-inflammatory effects of SP in the endothelium. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: We examined ECE-1 expression, SP trafficking and NK(1) receptor re-sensitization in human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1), and investigated re-sensitization of SP-induced plasma extravasation in rats. KEY RESULTS: HMEC-1 expressed all four ECE-1 isoforms (a-d), and fluorescent SP trafficked to early endosomes containing ECE-1b/d. The ECE-1 inhibitor SM-19712 prevented re-sensitization of SP-induced Ca2+ signals in HMEC-1 cells. Immunoreactive ECE-1 and NK(1) receptors co-localized in microvascular endothelial cells in the rat. SP-induced extravasation of Evans blue in the urinary bladder, skin and ears of the rat desensitized when the interval between two SP injections was 10 min, and re-sensitized after 480 min. SM-19712 inhibited this re-sensitization. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: By degrading endocytosed SP, ECE-1 promotes the recycling and re-sensitization of NK(1) receptors in endothelial cells, and thereby induces re-sensitization of the pro-inflammatory effects of SP. Thus, ECE-1 inhibitors may ameliorate the pro-inflammatory actions of SP.

Protease-activated receptor 2: activation, signalling and function.

PARs (protease-activated receptors) are a family of four G-protein-coupled receptors for proteases from the circulation, inflammatory cells and epithelial tissues. This report focuses on PAR(2), which plays an important role in inflammation and pain. Pancreatic (trypsin I and II) and extrapancreatic (trypsin IV) trypsins, mast cell tryptase and coagulation factors VIIa and Xa cleave and activate PAR(2). Proteases cleave PAR(2) to expose a tethered ligand that binds to the cleaved receptor. Despite this irreversible activation, PAR(2) signalling is attenuated by beta-arrestin-mediated desensitization and endocytosis, and by lysosomal targeting and degradation, which requires ubiquitination of PAR(2). beta-Arrestins also act as scaffolds for the assembly of multi-protein signalling complexes that determine the location and function of activated mitogen-activated protein kinases. Observations of PAR(2)-deficient mice support a role for PAR(2) in inflammation, and many of the effects of PAR(2) activators promote inflammation. Inflammation is mediated in part by activation of PAR(2) in the peripheral nervous system, which results in neurogenic inflammation and hyperalgesia.

Cloning, expression, and characterization of human cytosolic aminopeptidase P: a single manganese(II)-dependent enzyme.

The mammalian bradykinin-degrading enzyme aminopeptidase P (AP-P; E. C. 3.4.11.9) is a metal-dependent enzyme and is a member of the peptidase clan MG. AP-P exists as membrane-bound and cytosolic forms, which represent distinct gene products. A partially truncated clone encoding the cytosolic form was obtained from a human pancreatic cDNA library and the 5' region containing the initiating Met was obtained by 5' rapid accumulation of cDNA ends (RACE). The open reading frame encodes a protein of 623 amino acids with a calculated molecular mass of 69,886 Da. The full-length cDNA with a C-terminal hexahistidine tag was expressed in Escherichia coli and COS-1 cells and migrated on SDS-PAGE with a molecular mass of 71 kDa. The expressed cytosolic AP-P hydrolyzed the X-Pro bond of bradykinin and substance P but did not hydrolyze Gly-Pro-hydroxyPro. Hydrolysis of bradykinin was inhibited by 1,10-phenanthroline and by the specific inhibitor of the membrane-bound form of mammalian AP-P, apstatin. Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy of AP-P expressed in E. coli revealed the presence of 1 mol of manganese/mol of protein and insignificant amounts of cobalt, iron, and zinc. The enzymatic activity of AP-P was promoted in the presence of Mn(II), and this activation was increased further by the addition of glutathione. The only other metal ion to cause slight activation of the enzyme was Co(II), with Ca(II), Cu(II), Mg(II), Ni(II), and Zn(II) all being inhibitory. Removal of the metal ion from the protein was achieved by treatment with 1,10-phenanthroline. The metal-free enzyme was reactivated by the addition of Mn(II) and, partially, by Fe(II). Neither Co(II) nor Zn(II) reactivated the metal-free enzyme. On the basis of these data we propose that human cytosolic AP-P is a single metal ion-dependent enzyme and that manganese is most likely the metal ion used in vivo.

Identification of critical residues in the active site of porcine membrane-bound aminopeptidase P.

The membrane-bound form of mammalian aminopeptidase P (AP-P; EC 3.4. 11.9) is a mono-zinc-containing enzyme that lacks any of the typical metal binding motifs found in other zinc metalloproteases. To identify residues involved in metal binding and catalysis, sequence and structural information was used to align the sequence of porcine membrane-bound AP-P with other members of the peptidase clan MG, including Escherichia coli AP-P and methionyl aminopeptidases. Residues predicted to be critical for activity were mutated and the resultant proteins were expressed in COS-1 cells. Immunoelectrophoretic blot analysis was used to compare the levels of expression of the mutant proteins, and their ability to hydrolyze bradykinin and Gly-Pro-hydroxyPro was assessed. Asp449, Asp460, His523, Glu554, and Glu568 are predicted to serve as metal ion ligands in the active site, and mutagenesis of these residues resulted in fully glycosylated proteins that were catalytically inactive. Mutation of His429 and His532 also resulted in catalytically inactive proteins, and these residues, by analogy with E. coli AP-P, are likely to play a role in shuttling protons during catalysis. These studies indicate that mammalian membrane-bound AP-P has an active-site configuration similar to that of other members of the peptidase clan MG, which is compatible with either a dual metal ion model or a single metal ion in the active site. The latter model is consistent, however, with the known metal stoichiometry of both the membrane-bound and cytosolic forms of AP-P and with a recently proposed model for methionyl aminopeptidase.