乙型肝炎病毒对HepG2细胞侵袭的影响

目的研究HBV全长对HepG2细胞侵袭相关基因表达及活性的影响,探讨HBV在整体水平对HepG2细胞侵袭的影响。方法采用定量PCR分析HBV对HepG2细胞MMP2、9和TIMP1-4基因转录的影响;通过明胶酶谱及反相明胶酶谱检测MMP2、MMP9及TIMPs的活性;应用体外侵袭小室法检测细胞的侵袭能力。结果HBV的复制可以促进HepG2细胞MMP2、MMP9、TIMP1和TIMP3基因的转录,抑制TIMP4基因转录,增强HepG2细胞MMP2、MMP9的活性并增强细胞中TIMP1、TIMP3功能,HBV稳定复制的细胞具有更强的体外侵袭能力。结论HBV可影响HepG2细胞MMPs和TIMPs的基因转录、表达及功能,促进HepG2细胞的体外侵袭,这可能与HBV相关的HCC侵袭转移密切相关。     

MMP—26及其抑制剂—4在正常人细胞滋养层细胞与绒癌细胞系JEG—3中的表达

基质金属蛋白酶（MMPs)及其组织抑制（TIMPs)的平衡对于维持正常生理过程（如胚胎植入）是至关重要的。MMPs和TIMPs之间平衡机制调节的缺失将会导致肿瘤的转移和发展,近年来,MMP－26和TIMP－4相继被克隆鉴定,但是它们的功能,尤其是在正常胎盘建成和绒癌的功能仍属空白,本应用免疫细胞化学,免疫印迹,酶谱分析,RTPCR和Northen blot等方法检测了二在人早孕细胞滋养层细胞（Cyto)和绒癌细胞系JEG－3中的表达,免疫细胞化学和免疫印迹研究显示,MMP－26在JEG－3中的表达显高于在Cyto中的表达,TIMP－4在JEG－3中的表达显高于在Cyto中的表达（P＜0．05）;酶谱分析表明：Cyto中MMP－26水解明胶的活性明显低于JEG－3中MMP－26和TIMP－4的mRNA表达,并且MMP－26 mRNA在JEG－3中的表达显高于在Cyto中的表达（P＜0．05）,以上结果表明,MMP－26和TIMP－4在与正常妊娠和肿瘤转移浸润等有关组织重建过程中起着一定的作用。     

金属蛋白酶组织抑制剂在心血管疾病发病中的作用

金属蛋白酶组织抑制剂(tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases,TIMPs)由4个成员组成:TIMP1、TIMP2、TIMP3和TIMP4,它们是基质金属蛋白酶(matrix metalloproteinases,MMPs)的生理性抑制剂.同时它们也具有MMP非依赖的功能.T I ...     

大柴胡汤调控TGF-β/Smad信号通路对DBTC联合乙醇诱发小鼠胰腺纤维化的防治作用

目的:探讨大柴胡汤对二丁基二氯化锡(DBTC)联合乙醇所致小鼠慢性胰腺炎胰腺纤维化中TGF-β/Smad信号通路的影响及大柴胡汤防治胰腺纤维化的作用机制。方法:昆明小鼠96只,随机分成空白组(Con组)、慢性胰腺炎组(CP组)、大柴胡汤治疗组(DCHD组)(n=32)。一次性尾静脉注射DBTC(8 mg/kg)联合10%乙醇饲喂代替正常饮水复制小鼠CP模型。注射DBTC 3 d后小鼠又随机分为CP组和DCHD组,DCHD组予大柴胡汤(1 g/ml,6 g/kg·d)灌胃,并伴随10%乙醇饲喂代替正常饮水。各组在1、2、4、8周分批处死小鼠(n=8),观察胰腺组织的形态学变化及血清淀粉酶、透明质酸的变化;检测胰腺组织MMP-1/TIMP-1 mRNA的表达以及胰腺组织Ⅰ型胶原、TGF-βRⅠ、p-Smad 2/3、Smad 7蛋白的表达。结果:与空白组相比,CP组2周、4周血清淀粉酶及透明质酸处于较高水平,8周时淀粉酶明显降低,而透明质酸水平进一步升高(P0.05);DCHD组血清淀粉酶及透明质酸含量明显低于CP组(P0.01)。与空白组相比,CP组胰腺组织COLA1、TGF-βRⅠ、p-Smad 2/3表达持续升高,Smad7蛋白表达明显减少;DCHD治疗组可降低COLA1的表达水平有效抑制CP小鼠胰腺TGF-βRⅠ、p-Smad 2/3表达,使Smad7蛋白表达升高。与空白组相比,CP 2周、4周胰腺MMP-1 mRNA表达持续降低,TIMP-1 mRNA表达随造模时间延长明显升高(P0.01);DCHD组各时间点胰腺MMP-1表达明显增多,TIMP-1表达减少(P0.05)。结论:大柴胡汤通过抑制TGF-β/Smad信号通路活化,调节MMP-1/TIMP-1的平衡,发挥防治慢性胰腺炎胰腺纤维化的作用。     

金属蛋白酶-2(MMP-2)和金属蛋白酶抑制因子(TIMP-1,-3)mRNA在小鼠胎盘中的表达

本实验利用原位杂交对小鼠妊娠不同时期胎盘中MMP－2,TIMP－2,－3mRNA的表达进行了研究。结果表明;MMP－2主要在具有很强的侵润能力的海绵滋养层细胞中表达,到妊娠13．5天时,MMP－2的表达明显降低,说明此时的滋养层细胞基本上失去侵润能力。TMIP－1和TMIP－3在滋养层细胞和蜕膜细胞中都有表达,这两种抑制因子的协同表达,一方面能够调控滋养层细胞侵入子宫内膜的深度,另一方面,滋养层细胞自身既表达MMP－2又表达TIMPs,可能对其自身有保护作用,使得MMP的水解功能局限于子宫蜕膜的特定区域。在妊娠10．5天,滋养层巨细胞同时表达TIMP－1,－3mRNA,这可能与其功能的转换是一致的;因为此时小鼠滋养层巨细胞体积最大,且不再增殖,同时其功能屯从侵入型向内分泌型转换。所以,MMPs和TIMPs在小鼠滋养层细胞和子宫蜕膜中的协同表达表明其在着床过程中可能发挥重要作用。     

锌转运蛋白ZIP8 在骨关节炎中的表达及其机制研究

目的:探讨锌转运蛋白ZIP8在骨关节炎患者中的表达及其对软骨细胞生长及基质金属蛋白酶(MMPs)表达的影响。方法:收集20例骨关节炎患者(OA组)和20例非骨关节炎患者(对照组)血清和软骨组织;采用原子吸收分光光度计测定患者血清和软骨组织中锌离子的表达水平;MTT方法检测软骨细胞的生长活力;采用小RNA干扰沉默ZIP8基因的表达;实时荧光定量PCR方法检测ZIP8及金属基质蛋白酶MMP3、MMP9、MMP12和MMP13等基因的m RNA表达水平;蛋白免疫印迹检测ZIP8及MMP3、MMP9、MMP12和MMP13等蛋白的表达水平。结果:OA组的血清和软骨组织中的锌离子浓度明显高于对照组(P0.01)。OA组软骨组织中ZIP8的m RNA(P0.05)和蛋白(P0.01)表达水平显著高于对照组。ZIP8小RNA干扰片段可以有效的沉默ZIP的基因表达(P0.01);沉默ZIP8的表达促进骨关节炎患者来源的软骨细胞的生长(P0.05),并且降低基质金属蛋白酶包括MMP3,MMP9,MMP12和MMP13的表达水平(P0.05)。结论:ZIP8与骨关节炎密切相关,沉默ZIP8的表达可以提高软骨细胞的生长活力,并且抑制基质金属蛋白酶的表达,为骨关节炎的治疗提供了新的靶点。     

四周尾部悬吊大鼠颈总动脉MMP9和TIMP1的表达及活性改变

目的:探讨四周尾部悬吊模拟失重大鼠颈总动脉基质金属蛋白酶(matrix metalloprotein9,MMP9)和金属蛋白酶组织抑制剂1(tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase1,TIMP1)的基因、蛋白表达及酶活性变化。方法:采用4周(week,wk)尾部悬吊大鼠模拟失重影响,通过透射电镜检测颈总动脉壁基质含量,实时定量聚合酶链式反应检测MMP9和TIMP1的mRNA表达,Western blot和免疫组织化学染色检测其蛋白表达和分布,明胶酶谱法测定MMP9活性水平。结果:与对照组相比,悬吊组大鼠细胞外基质面积较对照组显著增加(P0.05),胶原蛋白含量显著增加(P0.05);悬吊组大鼠颈总动脉MMP9的m RNA表达量无明显改变,而其蛋白表达量和酶活性均显著降低(P0.05);TIMP1 mRNA和蛋白表达量则显著升高(P0.05)。结论:模拟失重使大鼠颈总动脉MMP9水平降低,TIMP1水平升高,可能与其管壁基质增生和胶原蛋白含量增加有关。     

二烯丙基二硫对IL-1β诱导SD大鼠关节软骨细胞的影响

观察二烯丙基二硫(DADS)对IL-1β诱导SD大鼠关节软骨细胞的影响,除空白对照组外,其余各组加入IL-1β(10 ng/m L)诱导24 h后换DADS处理,通过CCK8实验、平板克隆实验检测增殖能力,Western blot实验检测MMP13、TIMP1和CollagenⅡ蛋白表达水平。结果发现:12.5和25μmol/L DADS对IL-1β诱导SD大鼠关节软骨细胞有增殖作用(P0.05),50和100μmol/L DADS对IL-1β诱导SD大鼠关节软骨细胞有抑制作用(P0.05);12.5和25μmol/L DADS显著增加IL-1β诱导SD大鼠关节软骨细胞克隆集落形成能力(P0.05),50μmol/L DADS显著抑制IL-1β诱导SD大鼠关节软骨细胞克隆集落形成能力(P0.05);DADS能显著抑制MMP13的表达,增加TIMP1和CollagenⅡ的表达。以上结果提示DADS对IL-1β诱导SD大鼠关节软骨细胞具有双向调节作用,25μmol/L DADS保护关节软骨细胞的分子机制可能与DADS显著抑制MMP13的表达,增加TIMP1和CollagenⅡ的表达相关。     

67ku层黏连蛋白受体促进肝癌细胞MMP-2和MMP-9的表达

目的 研究分析67ku层黏连蛋白受体（laminin receptor,67LR）与肝癌细胞基质金属蛋白酶（matrix metalloproteinases,MMPs）及其组织抑制因子（tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases,TIMPs）表达的关系,探讨67LR促进肝癌细胞体外侵袭能力的分子机制.方法 以67LR转染HepG2的稳定细胞株及其对照细胞为材料,采用半定量RT-PCR分析目前已知的23种MMPs和4种TIMPs的表达及变化情况,对表达有变化的基因采用荧光定量PCR进行验证,采用明胶酶谱分析MMP活性的变化。结果 半定量RT-PCR和荧光定量PCR发现,67LR高表达的LR4细胞,其MMP2,9的表达比67LR低表达的LR6及对照组pcDNA-1细胞明显升高,明胶酶谱分析也揭示,LR4细胞分泌的MMP-2和MMP-9的活性明显上升。结论 67LR可以促进肝癌细胞MMP-2和MMP-9的表达和分泌,从而促进肝癌细胞体外侵袭能力。     

MiR-199a-5p对肝星状细胞活化增殖的影响

miR-199a-5p是miRNAs家族的一员.为探讨对人肝星状细胞活化增殖和迁移的影响,为临床肝纤维化治疗提供新的思路,本研究构建miR-199a-5p过表达载体、合成miR-199a-5p反义寡聚核苷酸(anti-sense oligonucleotide,ASO)经脂质体转染LX-2细胞.采用CCK-8法和Transwell分别检测细胞增殖和迁移能力;集落形成实验检测LX-2细胞的集落形成能力;实时荧光定量PCR技术检测细胞中转染miR-199a-5p后纤维化相关基因α-SMA和Collagen Ⅰ的mRNA表达水平;Western blot检测各组细胞中α-SMA表达水平.结果 表明miR-199a-5p可以促进LX-2细胞增殖(P＜0.01)、迁移(P＜0.01)和集落形成(P＜0.01);而ASO-199a-5p-5p组细胞增殖(P＜0.01)、迁移能力(P＜0.01)和集落形成能力(P＜0.01)受到抑制.RT-qPCR结果显示miR-199a-5p在受TGF-β1刺激后的LX-2细胞中的miRNA表达水平高于未受刺激组的(P＜0.05),转染miR-199a组细胞中α-SMA的mRNA(P＜0.01)和蛋白(P＜0.05)表达水平升高.以上结论表明miR-199a-5p过表达能促进肝星状细胞活化、增殖.     

TGF-beta signaling preserves RECK expression in activated pancreatic stellate cells

Activated pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of pancreatic fibrosis, but the detailed mechanism for dysregulated accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) remains unclear. Cultured rat PSCs become activated by profibrogenic mediators, but these mediators failed to alter the expression levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) to the endogenous tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs). Here, we examined the expression of RECK, a novel membrane-anchored MMP inhibitor, in PSCs. Although RECK mRNA levels were largely unchanged, RECK protein expression was barely detected at 2, 5 days after plating PSCs, but appeared following continued in vitro culture and cell passage which result in PSC activation. When PSCs at 5 days after plating (PSCs-5d) were treated with pepstatin A, an aspartic protease inhibitor, or TGF-beta1, a profibrogenic mediator, RECK protein was detected in whole cell lysates. Conversely, Smad7 overexpression or suppression of Smad3 expression in PSCs after passage 2 (PSCs-P2) led to the loss of RECK protein expression. These findings suggest that RECK is post-translationally processed in pre-activated PSCs but protected from proteolytic degradation by TGF-beta signaling. Furthermore, collagenolytic activity of PSCs-5d was greatly reduced by TGF-beta1, whereas that of PSCs-P2 was increased by anti-RECK antibody. Increased RECK levels were also observed in cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis. Therefore, our results suggest for the first time proteolytic processing of RECK as a mechanism regulating RECK activity, and demonstrate that TGF-beta signaling in activated PSCs may promote ECM accumulation via a mechanism that preserves the protease inhibitory activity of RECK.     

Secretory apparatus assessed by analysis of pancreatic secretory stress protein expression in a rat model of chronic pancreatitis

Secretory stress proteins (SSP) are a family of proteins including isoforms of pancreatitis-associated protein (PAP) and pancreatic stone protein (PSP/reg). In vitro exposure to trypsin results in the formation of insoluble fibrillar structures. SSP are constitutively secreted into pancreatic juice at low levels. The WBN/Kob rat is a model for chronic pancreatitis, displaying focal inflammation, destruction of the parenchyma and changes in the architecture of the acinar cell; the synthesis and secretion of SSP are also increased. We have investigated the secretory apparatus by SSP immunohistochemistry at the light- and electron-microscopical (EM) levels. Immunocytochemistry of PSP/reg in Wistar control rats reveals low levels, with individual acinar cells exhibiting high immunoreactivity in zymogen granules. PAP is not detectable. In the WBN/Kob rat, PSP/reg and PAP immunoreactivity is markedly increased. Double immunofluorescence for PSP/reg and PAP I or II demonstrates that these proteins colocalize to the same cell. Acinar cells change their secretory architecture by fusion of zymogen granules and elongation of the fused organelles. The immunogold technique has demonstrated an increase of SSP in zymogen granules in WBN/Kob rats. PSP/reg-positive zymogen granules fuse to form elongated structures with fibrillar contents. An extensive PSP/reg-positive fibrillar network is established in the cytosol. Extracellular fibrils have been observed in several ductules. Thus, SSP-derived fibrils form concomitantly with acinar damage in the WBN/Kob rat. Based on the known tryptic cleavage site of SSP, the in vivo generation of fibrils is presumably the result of premature trypsin activation.     

A family of 16-kDa pancreatic secretory stress proteins form highly organized fibrillar structures upon tryptic activation

A group of 16-kDa proteins, synthesized and secreted by rat pancreatic acinar cells and composed of pancreatic stone protein (PSP/reg) and isoforms of pancreatitis-associated protein (PAP), show structural homologies, including conserved amino acid sequences, cysteine residues, and highly sensitive N-terminal trypsin cleavage sites, as well as conserved functional responses in conditions of pancreatic stress. Trypsin activation of recombinant stress proteins or counterparts contained in rat pancreatic juice (PSP/reg, PAP I and PAP III) resulted in conversion of 16-kDa soluble proteins into 14-kDa soluble isoforms (pancreatic thread protein and pancreatitis-associated thread protein, respectively) that rapidly polymerize into insoluble sedimenting structures. Activated thread proteins show long lived resistance to a wide spectrum of proteases contained in pancreatic juice, including serine proteases and metalloproteinases. In contrast, PAP II, following activation with trypsin or pancreatic juice, does not form insoluble structures and is rapidly digested by pancreatic proteases. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy indicate that activated thread proteins polymerize into highly organized fibrillar structures with helical configurations. Through bundling, branching, and extension processes, these fibrillar structures form dense matrices that span large topological surfaces. These findings suggest that PSP/reg and PAP I and III isoforms consist of a family of highly regulated soluble secretory stress proteins, which, upon trypsin activation, convert into a family of insoluble helical thread proteins. Dense extracellular matrices, composed of helical thread proteins organized into higher ordered matrix structures, may serve physiological functions within luminal compartments in the exocrine pancreas.     

Pancreatic cancer stimulates pancreatic stellate cell proliferation and TIMP-1 production through the MAP kinase pathway

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is characterized by an intense desmoplastic reaction that surrounds the tumor. Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) are thought to be responsible for production of this extracellular matrix. When activated, PSCs have a myofibroblast phenotype and produce not only components of the extracellular matrix including collagen, fibronectin, and laminin, but also matrix metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs). Since PSCs are found in the stroma surrounding human pancreatic adenocarcinoma, we postulate that pancreatic cancer could impact PSC proliferation and TIMP-1 production. Rat PSCs were isolated and cultured. Isolated PSCs were exposed to PANC-1 conditioned medium (CM) and proliferation, activation of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathway, and TIMP-1 gene induction were determined. Exposure to PANC-1 CM increased PSC DNA synthesis, cell number, and TIMP-1 mRNA (real-time PCR) as well as activating the extracellular-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2. Inhibition of ERK 1/2 phosphorylation (U0126) prevented the increases in growth and TIMP-1 expression. PANC-1 CM stimulates PSC proliferation and TIMP-1 through the MAP kinase (ERK 1/2) pathway.     

The human pancreatic stone protein

Chronic calcifying pancreatitis (CCP) is characterized by the presence of stones in pancreatic ducts. Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) is the main constituent of stones, to which is associated an organic matrix consisting primarily of one protein of Mr 14,000, the pancreatic stone protein or PSP. PSP is not present as such in pancreatic juice, but in polymorphic forms with higher molecular weights. These secretory forms (PSP S2-5, Mr 16-19,000) are synthesized in the acinar cells of the pancreas and secreted along the same secretory pathway as the exocrine enzymes. The heterogeneity of the forms of higher Mr (PSP S2-5) is probably due to different glycosylation patterns. PSP and PSP S1 are generated by the cleavage of an Arg-Ile bond in the N-terminal part of PSP S2-5. The N-terminal sequence of PSP (40 amino acids) is identical to that of PSP S1, whose complete sequence (133 amino acids) has been determined. Yet, the two proteins differ by their pI. Pancreatic juice is normally supersaturated in CaCO3, suggesting the presence of a stabilizer preventing CaCO3 precipitation. The PSP S could play that role, since an activity inhibiting the nucleation and growth in vitro of CaCO3 crystals was found in pancreatic juice, associated with these proteins. Moreover, PSP S concentration was significantly lower in the pancreatic juice of patients with CCP than in control patients. Proteins homologous to PSP S were also found in the dog, rat, swine, monkey and ox. They constitute a new family of pancreatic secretory proteins, whose biological role would be to maintain pancreatic juice in a stable state towards CaCO3.     

Stellate Cells from Rat Pancreas Are Stem Cells and Can Contribute to Liver Regeneration

The identity of pancreatic stem/progenitor cells is still under discussion. They were suggested to derive from the pancreatic ductal epithelium and/or islets. Here we report that rat pancreatic stellate cells (PSC), which are thought to contribute to pancreatic fibrosis, have stem cell characteristics. PSC reside in islets and between acini and display a gene expression pattern similar to umbilical cord blood stem cells and mesenchymal stem cells. Cytokine treatment of isolated PSC induced the expression of typical hepatocyte markers. The PSC-derived hepatocyte-like cells expressed endodermal proteins such as bile salt export pump along with the mesodermal protein vimentin. The transplantation of culture-activated PSC from enhanced green fluorescent protein-expressing rats into wild type rats after partial hepatectomy in the presence of 2-acetylaminofluorene revealed that PSC were able to reconstitute large areas of the host liver through differentiation into hepatocytes and cholangiocytes. This developmental fate of transplanted PSC was confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridization of chromosome Y after gender-mismatched transplantation of male PSC into female rats. Transplanted PSC displayed long-lasting survival, whereas muscle fibroblasts were unable to integrate into the host liver. The differentiation potential of PSC was further verified by the transplantation of clonally expanded PSC. PSC clones maintained the expression of stellate cell and stem cell markers and preserved their differentiation potential, which indicated self-renewal potential of PSC. These findings demonstrate that PSC have stem cell characteristics and can contribute to the regeneration of injured organs through differentiation across tissue boundaries.     

Gamma-irradiation enhances RECK protein levels in Panc-1 pancreatic cancer cells

Radiotherapy is an important treatment for many malignant tumors, but there are recent reports that radiation may increase the malignancy of cancer cells by stimulating expression of type IV collagenases. In this study, we examined changes in matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitors, such as the tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1, TIMP-2 and RECK, in response to irradiation in Panc-1 pancreatic cancer cells. Irradiation increased RECK protein levels but not mRNA levels, whereas no significant changes were found in TIMP-1 and TIMP-2. The enhanced RECK protein levels were associated with an increase in MMP inhibitory activity. However, irradiation slightly but reproducibly increased the invasiveness of the Panc-1 cells. Like irradiation, treatment of Panc-1 cells with transforming growth factor (TGF)-Beta1 led to a 2-fold increase in RECK protein levels. Transient transfection with Smad3 also increased RECK protein levels, but transfection with Smad7 markedly reduced them. Stable expression of Smad7 and treatment with SB431542, an inhibitor of TGF-Beta receptor I kinase, abolished TGF-Beta1- and radiation-mediated effects on RECK. Furthermore, irradiation increased levels of phosphorylated Smad3. We conclude that radiation post-transciptionally enhances RECK protein levels in Panc-1 cells, at least in part, via TGF-Beta signaling, and that irradiation increases Panc-1 invasiveness via a mechanism that may not be linked to MMP-2 activity.     

Overexpression of the reg gene in non-obese diabetic mouse pancreas during active diabetogenesis is restricted to exocrine tissue.

We demonstrated pancreatic reg gene overexpression in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice during active diabetogenesis. The aim of this study was to determine in which part of the pancreas (endocrine and/or exocrine) the gene(s) and the protein(s) were expressed and if their localization changed with progression of the disease. In situ hybridization analysis and immunocytochemical studies were carried out on pancreas of female and male NOD mice. Both develop insulitis but diabetes develops only in females and in males only when treated by cyclophosphamide. Our results show that whatever the age, sex, and presence of insulitis and/or diabetes, the expression of reg mRNAs and of the corresponding protein(s) was restricted to exocrine tissue. Moreover, reg remains localized in acinar cells in the two opposite situations of (a) cyclophosphamide-treated males in a prediabetic stage presenting a high level of both insulin and reg mRNAs, and (b) the overtly diabetic females with no insulin but a high level of reg mRNA. These findings suggest that overexpression of the reg gene(s) might represent a defense of the acinar cell against pancreatic aggression.     

The reversion-inducing cysteine-rich protein with Kazal motifs (RECK) interacts with membrane type 1 matrix metalloproteinase and CD13/aminopeptidase N and modulates their endocytic pathways

The reversion-inducing cysteine-rich protein with Kazal motifs (RECK) is anchored to the cell surface via glycosylphosphatidylinositol. This molecule antagonizes the function of membrane type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) to promote proMMP-2 maturation. Here, we attempt to clarify the mechanism underlying RECK functions. First, we found that RECK forms a complex with MT1-MMP and inhibits its proteolytic activity. Notably, RECK increases the amount of MT1-MMP that associates with detergent-resistant membranes during sucrose gradient ultracentrifugation. Furthermore, perturbation of membrane cholesterol significantly affected the function of RECK in suppressing MT1-MMP function. These findings indicate that RECK possibly regulates MT1-MMP function by modulating its behavior on the cell surface as well as by enzymatic action; this prompted us to find another molecule whose behavior in detergent-resistant membranes is influenced by RECK. Subsequently, we found that RECK interacts with CD13/aminopeptidase N. Further, we found that RECK inhibits the proteolytic activity of CD13 in a cholesterol perturbation-sensitive manner. Finally, we examined whether RECK influences the behavior of MT1-MMP and CD13 during their internalization from the cell surface. In the absence of RECK, MT1-MMP and CD13 were internalized along with the markers of clathrin- or caveolae-dependent endocytosis. However, interestingly, in the presence of RECK these molecules were internalized preferentially with an endocytic marker that is neither clathrinnor caveolae-dependent, indicating that RECK modulates endocytic pathways of MT1-MMP and CD13. This modulation was correlated with the accelerated internalization and decay of MT1-MMP and CD13. This study unveils the novel function and target molecules of RECK.     

Growth stimulatory effect of pancreatic spasmolytic polypeptide on cultured colon and breast tumor cells

The effects of a novel polypeptide, pancreatic spasmolytic polypeptide (PSP) on a colon carcinoma cell line (HCT 116) were examined. PSP stimulated the incorporation of [3H]thymidine into HCT 116 cells as well as cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. Maximal increase in [3H]thymidine incorporation of 50-60% occurred at 3-300 microM PSP. The VIP-mediated-increase in cAMP levels was reduced by PSP at greater than 1 microM concentrations. PSP is highly homologous to the estrogen-induced pS2 protein in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. We find that PSP also enhanced [3H]thymidine incorporation in MCF-7 cells. These findings indicate for the first time that PSP has growth stimulatory properties.