Cell Surface Protease Activity Research Articles

Low Density Receptor-Related Protein 1 Interactions With the Extracellular Matrix: More Than Meets the Eye.

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a biological substrate composed of collagens, proteoglycans and glycoproteins that ensures proper cell migration and adhesion and keeps the cell architecture intact. The regulation of the ECM composition is a vital process strictly controlled by, among others, proteases, growth factors and adhesion receptors. As it appears, ECM remodeling is also essential for proper neuronal and glial development and the establishment of adequate synaptic signaling. Hence, disturbances in ECM functioning are often present in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease. Moreover, mutations in ECM molecules are found in some forms of epilepsy and malfunctioning of ECM-related genes and pathways can be seen in, for example, cancer or ischemic injury. Low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (Lrp1) is a member of the low density lipoprotein receptor family. Lrp1 is involved not only in ligand uptake, receptor mediated endocytosis and lipoprotein transport—functions shared by low density lipoprotein receptor family members—but also regulates cell surface protease activity, controls cellular entry and binding of toxins and viruses, protects against atherosclerosis and acts on many cell signaling pathways. Given the plethora of functions, it is not surprising that Lrp1 also impacts the ECM and is involved in its remodeling. This review focuses on the role of Lrp1 and some of its major ligands on ECM function. Specifically, interactions with two Lrp1 ligands, integrins and tissue plasminogen activator are described in more detail.

Variability in biofilm formation correlates with hydrophobicity and quorum sensing among Vibrio parahaemolyticus isolates from food contact surfaces and the distribution of the genes involved in biofilm formation

Vibrio parahaemolyticus is one of the leading foodborne pathogens causing seafood contamination. Here, 22 V. parahaemolyticus strains were analyzed for biofilm formation to determine whether there is a correlation between biofilm formation and quorum sensing (QS), swimming motility, or hydrophobicity. The results indicate that the biofilm formation ability of V. parahaemolyticus is positively correlated with cell surface hydrophobicity, autoinducer (AI-2) production, and protease activity. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) showed that strong-biofilm-forming strains established thick 3-D structures, whereas poor-biofilm-forming strains produced thin inconsistent biofilms. In addition, the distribution of the genes encoding pandemic clone factors, type VI secretion systems (T6SS), biofilm functions, and the type I pilus in the V. parahaemolyticus seafood isolates were examined. Biofilm-associated genes were present in almost all the strains, irrespective of other phenotypes. These results indicate that biofilm formation on/in seafood may constitute a major factor in the dissemination of V. parahaemolyticus and the ensuing diseases.

Annexin A2 Is a Molecular Target for TM601, a Peptide with Tumor-targeting and Anti-angiogenic Effects

TM601 is a synthetic form of chlorotoxin, a 36-amino acid peptide derived from the venom of the Israeli scorpion, Leirius quinquestriatus, initially found to specifically bind and inhibit the migration of glioma cells in culture. Subsequent studies demonstrated specific in vitro binding to additional tumor cell lines. Recently, we demonstrated that proliferating human vascular endothelial cells are the only normal cell line tested that exhibits specific binding to TM601. Here, we identify annexin A2 as a novel binding partner for TM601 in multiple human tumor cell lines and human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC). We demonstrate that the surface binding of TM601 to the pancreatic tumor cell line Panc-1 is dependent on the expression of annexin A2. Identification of annexin A2 as a binding partner for TM601 is also consistent with the anti-angiogenic effects of TM601. Annexin A2 functions in angiogenesis by binding to tissue plasminogen activator and regulating plasminogen activation on vascular endothelial cells. We demonstrate that in HUVECs, TM601 inhibits both vascular endothelial growth factor- and basic fibroblast growth factor-induced tissue plasminogen activator activation, which is required for activation of plasminogen to plasmin. Consistent with inhibition of cell surface protease activity, TM601 also inhibits platelet-derived growth factor-C induced trans-well migration of both HUVEC and U373-MG glioma cells.

Abstract B217: Annexin A2 is a novel molecular target for TM601, a peptide with specific tumor targeting and antiangiogenic properties

Abstract In this study we sought to identify the cell surface target for TM601, a peptide with tumor-targeting and anti-angiogenic effects. The 131I-radiolabeled form of TM601 is currently in clinical trials for having been shown to specifically bind several human tumor types including malignant glioblastoma, colorectal, pancreatic, prostate and non-small cell lung carcinomas. We used a biochemical approach of surface cross-linking followed by affinity-binding assays in conjunction with mass spectrometry and siRNA knock-down to identify and validate the target for TM601 on tumor and vascular endothelial cell. We identify annexin A2 as a novel binding partner for TM601 in multiple human tumor cell lines and HUVEC vascular endothelial cells. We demonstrate that the surface binding of TM601 to the pancreatic tumor cell line, Panc-1 is dependent on the expression of annexin A2. Annexin A2 is over-expressed in several human cancers and has functions in angiogenesis by binding to tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and regulating plasminogen activation on vascular endothelial cells. In HUVEC cells, TM601 inhibits both VEGF and bFGF induced tPA activation which is in turn required for activation of plasminogen to plasmin. Consistent with inhibition of cell surface protease activity, TM601 also inhibits PDGF-CC induced trans-well migration of both HUVEC vascular endothelial and U373-MG glioma cells. In conclusion, we have identified annexin A2 as a novel cell surface target for TM601 that might mediate both the tumor-targeting and anti-angiogenic effects of the peptide. Importantly, our results also support a role annexin A2 as a molecular target in cancer therapeutics. Citation Information: Mol Cancer Ther 2009;8(12 Suppl):B217.

Lipoprotein receptors in the nervous system.

The low-density-lipoprotein (LDL) receptor family is an evolutionarily ancient gene family of structurally closely related cell-surface receptors. Members of the family are involved in the cellular uptake of extracellular ligands and regulate diverse biological processes including lipid and vitamin metabolism and cell-surface protease activity. Some members of the family also participate in cellular signaling and regulate the development and functional maintenance of the nervous system. Here we review the roles of this family of multifunctional receptors in the nervous system and focus on recent advances toward the understanding of the mechanisms by which lipoprotein receptors and their ligands transmit and modulate signals in the brain.

Effect of UV irradiation on cell surface protease activity and amino acid uptake

The surface of most cells includes a coterie of resident proteins which act as receptors for a wide variety of ligands and other proteins which are potentially bioactive on cell–cell contact (juxtacrine effects), or else are released by enzyme activity to influence cell behaviour by autocrine or paracrine mechanisms. We previously found that UVC irradiation stimulates the release of TGFα from its membrane-bound preprocursor form whereby it acts as a stimulus to rapid, reparative cell multiplication; clearly this runs the risk hastening mitosis before UV-induced DNA damage is fully corrected, which in turn may increase the likelihood of residual lesions persisting and hence of new mutations being generated. We found that sublethal UVC irradiation (10 J m −2) of HeLa cell cultures also resulted in activation of ecto-aminopeptidase and ecto-endopeptidases which were maximal 16 and 20–24 h after irradiation, respectively. Both of these classes of protease were shown to be metalloproteases using a nonapeptide substrate (called P9) which is cognate to the N-terminal cleavage site of preproTGFα except for a reporter 125 I -tyrosine [Piva et al., J. Cell. Biochem. 64 (1997) 353–368]. We now show that the N-terminal tyrosine cleaved from P9 by cell surface aminopeptidase activity, was found to be taken up by the cell resulting in its 10–25-fold concentration intracellularly, some two- to threefold higher than from a reservoir source, and may represent a novel salvage pathway for recovery of essential amino acids. Aminopeptidase activity was found to be both temperature- and FBS-dependent but was not reliant on ATP for its activity. Tyrosine transport across the cell membrane was also temperature and FBS-dependent but required ATP for maximal activity. UVC irradiation enhanced aminopeptidase activity but not tyrosine uptake by the cultures. The fraction of HeLa cells undergoing apoptosis increased in those cultures which were exposed to higher doses of UVC. The levels of ecto-aminopeptidase and ecto-endopeptidase activity in apoptotic cells were elevated compared to viable cells receiving the same dose of UVC. These results suggest that increased levels of cell surface protease activity in apoptotic cells would increase the amounts of free amino acids and growth factors in the extracellular medium and hence stimulate the proliferation of surrounding cells to replace those killed by UV irradiation.

Expression of the activation marker urokinase plasminogen-activator receptor in cultured human central nervous system microglia.

The ability of microglia to migrate through central nervous system (CNS) tissue requires proteolytic degradation of components of the extracellular matrix. Urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA), when bound to its cell surface receptor (uPAR), is an active cell surface protease. uPAR expression has been associated with cell activation. Cultured human microglia express surface uPAR. uPAR expression was found to be associated predominately with spindle- or bipolarshaped microglia. The addition of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to microglial cultures enhanced the proportion of uPAR expression and shifted cell morphology to the elongated spindle or bipolar shape. When microglia were examined immediately ex vivo, uPAR surface expression could not be detected. Similarly, uPAR transcripts detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction techniques were found in cultured, but not ex vivo, microglia. Microglia isolated from a patient with multiple sclerosis (MS) displayed a large amount of uPAR+ cells. These cells were predominantly spindle or bipolar in nature. These findings suggest that uPAR surface expression is associated with microglial activation. Surface expression of uPAR and associated cell surface protease activity may provide a mechanism for microglial migration and may be important in the pathophysiology of MS.

Expression of the activation marker urokinase plasminogen‐activator receptor in cultured human central nervous system microglia

The ability of microglia to migrate through central nervous system (CNS) tissue requires proteolytic degradation of components of the extracellular matrix. Urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA), when bound to its cell surface receptor (uPAR), is an active cell surface protease. uPAR expression has been associated with cell activation. Cultured human microglia express surface uPAR. uPAR expression was found to be associated predominately with spindle- or bipolar-shaped microglia. The addition of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to microglia cultures enhanced the proportion of uPAR expression and shifted cell morphology to the elongated spindle or bipolar shape. When microglia were examined immediately ex vivo, uPAR surface expression could not be detected. Similarly, uPAR transcripts detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction techniques were found in cultured, but not ex vivo, microglia. Microglia isolated from a patient with multiple sclerosis (MS) displayed a large amount of uPAR+ cells. These cells were predominantly spindle or bipolar in nature. These findings suggest that uPAR surface expression is associated with microglial activation. Surface expression of uPAR and associated cell surface protease activity may provide a mechanism for microglial migration and may be important in the pathophysiology of MS. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Loss and shedding of surface markers from the leukemic myeloid monocytic line THP-1 induced to undergo apoptosis

Previous studies have established that a relationship exists between apoptosis and cell surface (ecto-) peptidase activity. Thus dose-dependent increases were found both in ectopeptidase activities and in the proportion of cells undergoing apoptosis in HeLa cell monolayers after exposure to UV and other perturbants causing arrest of DNA synthesis (indirectly or directly as a result of DNA damage). The nature of the correlation made no distinction as to whether an increase in peptidase activity was causal of, or consequential to apoptosis, nor whether the increase was a general response by all cells. As a wider approach to understanding the possible role played by ectopeptidases in apoptosis, we report the effect on expression of a known ectopeptidase, aminopeptidase N (CD13), by a myelomonocytic cell line induced to undergo apoptosis. Using THP-1 cultures exposed to low concentrations of ethanol, we used FACS technology to sort for early apoptotic cells that have an increased ability to sequester the vital dye Hoechst 33342 while excluding nonvital dyes. Apoptosis was verified by light, fluorescence, and transmission electron microscopy, and the presence of DNA fragmentation. These early apoptotic cells showed a significant loss in CD13 labeling. Another surface marker, CD33, behaved similarly, whereas CD14 was lost globally, and not just by the apoptotic cells. Peptidase assays confirmed that an aminopeptidase was shed into the bathing media and that this activity was inhibitable both by bestatin and by a CD13 neutralizing monoclonal antibody. In treated cells, there was no evidence for an increase in cell surface protease activity directed toward a highly aliphatic nonapeptide substrate used as a model for TGF-alpha scission from its precursor form. However, other cell surface proteases of different specificity are presumably responsible for the observed shedding of CD13.

Effect of Thrombin, the Thrombin Receptor Activation Peptide, and Other Mitogens on Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Urokinase Receptor mRNA Levels

AbstractBovine vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC) express the urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (u-PAR) claimed to be important in cell invasion. Receptor numbers and affinity are regulated by thrombin and several other mitogens involved in SMC proliferation. We investigated the effects of these mitogens on u-PAR mRNA levels. On continuous thrombin stimulation the u-PAR message in SMC was 10 ± 2.3-fold elevated reaching a maximum between 6 and 9 hours and declining to control values within 48 hours. Thrombin present for 30 minutes on the cell surface produced similar effects. Stimulation with the thrombin receptor activation peptide S-F-L-L-R-N representing the NH2-terminus of the tethered ligand also increased u-PAR mRNA levels with an identical time course. D-Phe-Pro-Arg-chloromethyl ketone (PPACK) active site blocked thrombin and the catalytically inactive thrombin mutant S205A did not affect u-PAR mRNA levels. Thrombin stimulation also resulted in a 2 ± 0.2-fold transient increase in thrombin receptor mRNA preceding the rise in u-PAR message. Transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) showed similar time courses for the elevation of u-PAR mRNA levels with a maximal 5.5 ± 0.9 and 12 ± 2.5-fold increase, respectively. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) showed a more prolonged effect increasing u-PAR mRNA levels 8 ± 2.0-fold and 12.3 ± 2.5-fold, respectively, within 6 hours but remaining 5 to 10-fold elevated at 48 hours. In order to decide if the u-PAR mRNA increase was due to message stabilization or a consequence of transcriptional activation we used the RNA polymerase II Inhibitor 5,6-di-chloro-1-β-D-ribofuranosyl benzimidazole (DRB) during the stimulation experiments, u-PAR mRNA levels on TGFβ1 stimulation of SMC decayed after the addition of DRB indicating that enhancement of transcriptional activity was involved in the induction. In contrast, the time course of u-PAR mRNA elevation on thrombin, bFGF, and PMA stimulation was not significantly altered in the presence of DRB suggesting that in these latter cases u-PAR mRNA message accumulation was at least in part due to mRNA stabilization. Increased transcriptional activity, mRNA stabilization and expression of u-PAR protein on the SMC surface in response to growth factors may facilitate enhanced cell surface protease activity, cell migration, and development of atheromatous lesions.

Relationships between cell surface protease and acid phosphatase activities of Leishmania promastigote.

A correlation between the ratio of the cell surface protease activity to phosphatase activity and the complexity of the pattern of cell surface exposed polypeptides of Leishmania promastigotes was demonstrated for various strains grown under similar conditions. The ratio of the cell surface protease activity to acid phosphatase activity was high for L. major and L.b. panamensis and it correlates with the expression of a single polypeptide of 63 KDa on their cell surface. Intermediate and lower ratios of these enzymatic activities relate with more complex radio-iodinated patterns: two main bands in L.b. guyanensis (70 and 58 KDa) and L.b. braziliensis (72 and 60 KDa) and three main bands 65, 50, 27 KDa in all L.m. mexicana strains tested. Evidence is presented that the acid phosphatase located on the L.m. mexicana cell surface is not an artifact due to a secondary absorption of the secreted acid phosphatase from the culture medium. These results confirm the Leishmania antigen cell surface heterogeneity. The implications on the biology of Leishmania and the clinical manifestation of leishmaniasis are discussed.

Characterization and modulation of cell surface proteases on human mycloblastic (HL-60) cells and comparison to normal mycloid cells

Human myeloblastic HL-60 cells were probed for cell surface protease activity. A class of bestatin sensitive N-exoaminopeptidases and a dipeptidyl aminopeptidase IV-like enzyme specifically inhibited by DFP and diprotin A were detected at the surface of intact cells, as well as in highly purified HL-60 cell membranes. Cell surface proteolytic activities were investigated in HL-60 cells induced to differentiate into granulocytes or macrophages as well as on normal human myeloid cells. It was found that membrane expression of serine and N-aminopeptidases significantly increased following maturation of the HL-60 cell line and normal monocytes toward the macrophage pathway. In contrast, N-aminopeptidase expression was mainly down-regulated on HL-60 cells differentiated into granulocytes and low activity was paralleled with that expressed by normal blood granulocytes. HL-60 maturation into the granulocyte lineage however did not cause any modulation in membrane DPP IV-like enzyme. Thus, selective expression of cell surface proteases along the myeloid lineage provides a useful model system for determining the possible influence of such enzymes on normal and malignant myeloid cells.

Characterization of specific proteases associated with the surface of human skin fibroblasts, and their modulation in pathology

Human skin fibroblasts were probed for cell surface protease activity. One activity removing dipeptides from the NH2-terminal end of Gly-Pro-pNA was specifically inhibited by di-isopropyl-fluorophosphate (DFP), phenylmethanesulphony fluoride (PMSF), and diprotin A, and thus was identified as dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV). A group of bestatin-sensitive N-exoaminopeptidase activities was also characterized when Ala-, Leu-, and Arg-pNA were used as chromogenic substrates. Using human monoclonal antibodies anti-CD 13 and anti-CD 26 that recognized, respectively, an N-Ala-aminopeptidase and DPP IV, it was found that human dermal fibroblasts expressed the CD 13 and CD 26 antigen on their surface. In addition, both peptidases were specifically immunoprecipitated by monoclonal antibodies anti-CD 13 and anti-CD 26 from plasma membranes. Cell surface proteolytic activities were also investigated in human fibroblasts derived from dermatological and rheumatic diseases (i.e., psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, and lichen planus). It was found that these fibroblasts also expressed both types of proteinases initially identified on normal skin fibroblasts and that the levels of Ala-aminopeptidase activities were similar in all cases. In contrast, the levels of Arg-, Leu-exoaminopeptidase, and DPP IV activities were significantly higher (up to 6.6-fold) in the three pathological fibroblast populations than in their normal counterparts. These proteolytic enzymes, therefore, can potentially serve as markers in dermatological diseases. Taken together, our results suggest that skin fibroblast-derived proteinases associated with both serine and N-aminopeptidase activities may play an important role by participating in the extracellular events associated with fibroblast behaviour.

Degradation of insulin by isolated mouse pancreatic acini. Evidence for cell surface protease activity.

In the present study, we have used isolated mouse pancreatic acini to investigate the relationship between 125I-insulin binding and its degradation in order to probe the nature and cellular localization of the degradative process. In these cells, the proteolysis of 125I-insulin was dependent on time and cell concentration, and was saturated by unlabeled insulin with a Km of 290 nM. Since this value was much higher than the Kd for insulin binding to its receptor (1.1 nM), the data indicated that 125I-insulin degradation by acini occurred primarily via nonreceptor mechanisms. Several lines of evidence suggested that insulin was being degraded by the neutral thiol protease, insulin degrading enzyme (IDE). First, insulin degradation was inhibited by thiolreacting agents such as N-ethylmaleimide and p-chloromercuribenzoate. Second, the Km for degradation in acini was similar to the reported Km for IDE in other tissues. Third, the enzyme activity had a relative mol wt of approximately 130,000 by gel filtration, a value similar to that reported for purified IDE. Fourth, the degrading activity was removed with a specific antibody to IDE. Other lines of evidence suggested that enzymes located on the cell surface played a role in insulin degradation by acini. First, the nonpenetrating sulfhydryl reacting agent 5,5' dithiobis-2-nitrobenzoic acid blocked 125I-insulin degradation. Second, a specific antibody to IDE identified the presence of the enzyme on the cell surface. Third, chloroquine, leupeptin and antipain, agents that inhibit lysosomal function, did not influence 125I-insulin degradation. Fourth, highly purified pancreatic plasma membranes degraded 125I-insulin.

Degradation of insulin by isolated mouse pancreatic acini. Evidence for cell surface protease activity

Degradation of insulin by isolated mouse pancreatic acini. Evidence for cell surface protease activity

Cell surface protease activity of human lymphocytes; its inhibition by alpha 1-antitrypsin.

Using isotopically-labelled casein as substrate, a surface-associated protease activity was demonstrated on human peripheral blood and tonsil lymphocytes. It was greater in T-depleted than in T-enriched suspensions. It could be inhibited by α 1-antitrypsin purified from human serum.

Detection and partial characterization of lymphoid cell surface proteases

Cultures of viable thymocytes and lymph node cells (LNC) were found to exhibit neutral protease activity toward radiolabeled protein substrates. Proteases were not actively secreted in serum-free culture. Thymocyte surface proteases were not affected by incubation of the cells in 1 m M ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) or 1 m M ethylene glycol bis(aminoethyl ether) N, N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA); however, approximately 25% of lymph node cell surface protease activity was released from the cells by EDTA. It was concluded that the majority of protease activity displayed by both cell types was tightly associated with the cell surface. The inhibitor sensitivity of the cell surface proteases detected on hamster thymocytes and LNC and rat thymocytes was very similar. Cell surface protease activity was inhibited (85%) by the serine protease inhibitors diisopropylfluorophosphate (DFP) and phenylmethylsulfonylfluoride (PMSF) and was partially inhibited by l-1-tosylamide-2-phenylethylchloromethyl ketone(TPCK) and soybean trypsin inhibitor (SBTI), but not by N-α-p-tosyl- l-lysine-chloromethyl ketone (TLCK) or ϵ-aminocaproic acid (EACA). The bacterial protease inhibitor antipain was strongly inhibitory whereas leupeptin was less effective and elastinal did not inhibit cell surface protease activity. Thymocyte surface proteases were also inhibited (65%) by ZnCl 2, but not be several other divalent cations. In LNC, both ZnCl 2 and NiCl 2 were inhibitory to a lesser extent (32% inhibition). At least one surface protease in both thymocytes and LNC could function as a plasminogen activator.

Relationship between cell surface protease activity and doubling time in various normal and transformed cells

A sensitive method for measuring cell surface and secreted protease activity utilizing 3H-labelled casein is described. The method is based upon proteolytic degradation of the casein substrate into trichloroacetic acid soluble 3H-labelled peptides. Utilizing the radioassay we found that all cultured cell lines examined contain cell surface proteolytic activity which is not secreted into the media. The protease activity was found to be due to protease(s) other than plasminogen activator or plasmin. A comparison of surface protease activity of normal and transformed mouse epidermal cells indicated that the transformed cells contained approximately 3–4 times more proteolytic activity than the normal cells. Surface protease activity was also correlated with the doubling times of various cultured cells. The results indicated that cultured cells with doubling times of greater than three days possess less surface protease activity than cells with shorter doubling times. In order to determine changes in the levels of surface protease activity during the cell cycle several cell lines were synchronized. In synchronized rabbit aortic fibroblasts, mouse transformed epidermal cells and human melanoma cells, a marked increase in surface protease activity was observed during or before mitosis. The protease levels decreased following mitosis. The results suggest that in culture, cell surface protease(s) may be important factor in regulating the rate of cell growth.