Characterization of proteinase-3 (PR-3), a neutrophil serine proteinase. Structural and functional properties

Proteinase 3 (PR-3) is a human polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMNL) serine proteinase that degrades elastin in vitro and causes emphysema when administered by tracheal insufflation to hamsters (Kao, R. C., Wehner, N. G., Skubitz, K. M., Gray, B. H., and Hoidal, J. R. (1988) J. Clin. Invest. 82, 1963-1973). We have determined the primary structure of several PR-3 peptides and have analyzed catalytic properties of the enzyme. The enzyme has considerable amino acid sequence homology with two other well characterized PMNL neutral serine proteinases, elastase and cathepsin G. Furthermore, the NH2-terminal amino acid sequence of PR-3 is identical to that of the target antigen of the anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies associated with Wegener's granulomatosis. PR-3 degrades a variety of matrix proteins including fibronectin, laminin, vitronectin, and collagen type IV. It shows no or minimal activity against interstitial collagens types I and III, respectively. The analysis of peptides generated by PR-3 digestion of insulin chains and the activity profile against a panel of chromogenic synthetic peptide substrates show that PR-3 prefers small aliphatic amino acids (alanine, serine, and valine) at the P1 site. The elastase-like specificity of PR-3 is consistent with its striking sequence homology to elastase at substrate binding sites. PR-3 is inhibited by alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor (ka = 8.1 x 10(6) M-1 S-1; delay time = 25 ms) and alpha 2-macroglobulin (ka = 1.1 x 10(7) M-1 S-1; delay time = 114 ms) but not by alpha 1-anti-chymotrypsin. In contrast to elastase and cathepsin G, PR-3 is not inhibited by secretory leukoprotease inhibitor and is weakly inhibited by eglin c. Thus, PR-3 is distinct from the other PMNL proteinases.     

The human neutrophil elastase gene. Analysis of the nucleotide sequence reveals three distinct classes of repetitive DNA

DNA sequence analysis reveals the gene encoding human neutrophil elastase to be contained on a 6-kb EcoRI fragment. The gene contains five exons and closely resembles rat mast cell proteinase II and mouse adipsin in its exon structure and intron splice phase. Non-coding regions are very rich in repetitive DNA, containing seven Alu-like segments, three distinct clustered direct repeats with monomer lengths of 53 (six repeats), 23 (three repeats) and 41 (ten repeats) nucleotides, and a 200-nucleotide AT-rich region. Protein sequence analysis, inferred from the coding regions of the gene, indicates that neutrophil elastase may contain an unusual activation peptide similar to that found in the other major neutrophil serine proteinase, cathepsin G.     

Nucleotide sequence and genomic organization of a human T lymphocyte serine protease gene

We have determined the nucleotide sequence of 4508 base pairs of human genomic DNA which contain the human serine esterase gene from cytotoxic T lymphocytes (SECT) (equivalent to the 1-3E cDNA clone) and include 879 bp of 5' flanking DNA and 393 bp of 3' flanking DNA. The gene consists of five exons of 88, 148, 136, 261, and 257 nucleotides separated by four introns of 1043, 455, 205, and 643 nucleotides. The location of introns with respect to protein coding sequences in the SECT gene is identical to that of the human cathepsin G and murine granzyme B genes. Comparison of SECT gene exonic sequences to murine granzyme B-F cDNA sequences indicates similarities of 75 and 72% for granzymes B and C and 61, 59, and 61% for granzymes D, E, and F, respectively. The 5' flanking sequence of the SECT gene showed similarity only to the 5' flanking sequence of the murine granzyme B gene, indicating that these genes are homologous. Comparison of the SECT gene sequence to the human cathepsin G sequence indicated no similarity in the 5' flanking DNA although the exonic sequences show 64% sequence similarity overall and 45% sequence similarity in the respective 3' untranslated regions. These similarities suggest that the SECT and cathepsin G genes are members of the same family of serine protease genes. Evidence from high and low stringency Southern transfer analysis of human genomic DNA indicates the presence of another gene of at least 85% sequence similarity to the SECT gene.     

Purification and characterization of a serine proteinase inhibitor from human articular cartilage

An inhibitor of serine proteinases from human articular cartilage was purified to homogeneity by sequential ultrafiltration and ion exchange chromatography on CM-Sephadex C-50. The apparent molecular weight of the cationic glycoprotein (pI > 10) was determined to be 16.5 · 10³ by SDS gel electrohoresis. The inhibitor blocked the activity of leukocyte elastase, cathepsin G and trypsin but not leukocyte collagenase. In kinetic studies for the interactions with leukocyte elastase a firm enzyme-inhibitor binding was obtained. Amino acid analyses did not reveal homologies with other serine proteinase inhibitors already purified from human tissues.     

Inhibition of serine proteinases plasmin,trypsin, subtilisin A,cathepsin G,and elastase by LEKTI: a kinetic analysis

The human LEKTI gene encodes a putative 15-domain serine proteinase inhibitor and has been linked to the inherited disorder known as Netherton syndrome. In this study, human recombinant LEKTI (rLEKTI) was purified using a baculovirus/insect cell expression system, and the inhibitory profile of the full-length rLEKTI protein was examined. Expression of LEKTI in Sf9 cells showed the presence of disulfide bonds, suggesting the maintenance of the tertiary protein structure. rLEKTI inhibited the serine proteinases plasmin, subtilisin A, cathepsin G, human neutrophil elastase, and trypsin, but not chymotrypsin. Moreover, rLEKTI did not inhibit the cysteine proteinase papain or cathepsin K, L, or S. Further, rLEKTI inhibitory activity was inactivated by treatment with 20 mM DTT, suggesting that disulfide bonds are important to LEKTI function. The inhibition of plasmin, subtilisin A, cathepsin G, elastase, and trypsin by rLEKTI occurred through a noncompetitive-type mechanism, with inhibitory constants (K(i)) of 27 +/- 5, 49 +/- 3, 67 +/- 6, 317 +/-36, and 849 +/- 55 nM, respectively. Thus, LEKTI is likely to be a major physiological inhibitor of multiple serine proteinases.     

Cell surface-bound elastase and cathepsin G on human neutrophils: a novel, non-oxidative mechanism by which neutrophils focus and preserve catalytic activity of serine proteinases

Serine proteinases of human polymorphonuclear neutrophils play an important role in neutrophil-mediated proteolytic events; however, the non-oxidative mechanisms by which the cells can degrade extracellular matrix in the presence of proteinase inhibitors have not been elucidated. Herein, we provide the first report that human neutrophils express persistently active cell surface-bound human leukocyte elastase and cathepsin G on their cell surface. Unstimulated neutrophils have minimal cell surface expression of these enzymes; however, phorbol ester induces a 30-fold increase. While exposure of neutrophils to chemoattractants (fMLP and C5a) stimulates modest (two- to threefold) increases in cell surface expression of serine proteinases, priming with concentrations of lipopolysaccharide as low as 100 fg/ml leads to striking (up to 10-fold) increase in chemoattractant-induced cell surface expression, even in the presence of serum proteins. LPS-primed and fMLP-stimulated neutrophils have approximately 100 ng of cell surface human leukocyte elastase activity per 10(6) cells. Cell surface- bound human leukocyte elastase is catalytically active, yet is remarkably resistant to inhibition by naturally occurring proteinase inhibitors. These data indicate that binding of serine proteinases to the cell surface focuses and preserves their catalytic activity, even in the presence of proteinase inhibitors. Upregulated expression of persistently active cell surface-bound serine proteinases on activated neutrophils provides a novel mechanism to facilitate their egress from the vasculature, penetration of tissue barriers, and recruitment into sites of inflammation. Dysregulation of the cell surface expression of these enzymes has the potential to cause tissue destruction during inflammation.     

Genomic organization of the Schistosoma mansoni aspartic protease gene, a platyhelminth orthologue of mammalian lysosomal cathepsin D

Schistosomes are considered the most important of the helminth parasites of humans in terms of morbidity and mortality. Schistosomes employ proteolytic enzymes to digest host hemoglobin from ingested human blood, including a cathepsin D-like, aspartic protease that is overexpressed in the gut of the adult female schistosome. Because of its key role in parasite nutrition, this enzyme represents a potential intervention target. To continue exploration of this potential, here we have determined the sequence, structure and genomic organization of the cathepsin D gene locus of Schistosoma mansoni. Using the cDNA encoding S. mansoni cathepsin D as a probe, we isolated several positive bacterial artificial chromosomes (BAC) from a BAC library that represents an approximately 8-fold coverage of the schistosome genome. Sequencing of BAC clone 25-J-24 revealed that the cathepsin D gene locus was approximately 13 kb in length, and included seven exons interrupted by six introns. The exons ranged in length from 49 to 294 bp, and the introns from 30 to 5025 bp. The genomic organization of schistosome cathepsin D was similar in sequence, structure and complexity to human cathepsin D, including to a greater or lesser extent the conservation of all six exon/intron boundaries of the schistosome gene. It was less similar to aspartic protease genes of the nematodes Caenorhabditis elegans and Haemonchus contortus, and dissimilar to those of plasmepsins from malarial parasites. Examination of the introns revealed the presence of endogenous mobile genetic elements including SR2, the ASL-associated retrotransposon, and the SINE-like element, SMalpha. Phylogenetically, schistosome cathepsin D appeared to be more closely related to mammalian cathepsin D than to other sub-families of eukaryotic aspartic proteases known from mammals. Taken together, these features indicated that schistosome cathepsin D is a platyhelminth orthologue of mammalian lysosomal cathepsin D.     

Inhibition of serine proteases by functionalized sulfonamides coupled to the 1,2,5-thiadiazolidin-3-one 1,1 dioxide scaffold.

A challenge associated with drug design is the development of selective inhibitors of proteases (serine or cysteine) that exhibit the same primary substrate specificity, that is, show a preference for the same P(1) residue. While these proteases have similar active sites, nevertheless there are subtle differences in their S and S' subsites which can be exploited. We describe herein for the first time the use of functionalized sulfonamides as a design and diversity element which, when coupled to the 1,2,5-thiadiazolidin-3-one 1,1 dioxide scaffold yields potent, time-dependent inhibitors of the serine proteases human leukocyte elastase (HLE), proteinase 3 (PR 3) and cathepsin G(Cat G). Our preliminary findings suggest that (a) appending to the 1,2,5-thiadiazolidin-3-one 1,1 dioxide scaffold recognition and diversity elements that interact with both the S and S' subsites of a target protease may result in optimal enzyme selectivity and potency and, (b) functionalized sulfonamides constitute a powerful design and diversity element with low intrinsic chemical reactivity and potentially wide applicability.     

The 1.8 A crystal structure of human cathepsin G in complex with Suc-Val-Pro-PheP-(OPh)2: a Janus-faced proteinase with two opposite specificities.

The crystal structure of human neutrophil cathepsin G, complexed with the peptidyl phosphonate inhibitor Suc-Val-Pro-PheP-(OPh)2, has been determined to a resolution of 1.8 A using Patterson search techniques. The cathepsin G structure shows the polypeptide fold characteristic of trypsin-like serine proteinases and is especially similar to rat mast cell proteinase II. Unique to cathepsin G, however, is the presence of Glu226 (chymotrypsinogen numbering), which is situated at the bottom of the S1 specificity pocket, dividing it into two compartments. For this reason, the benzyl side chain of the inhibitor PheP residue does not fully occupy the pocket but is, instead, located at its entrance. Its positively charged equatorial edge is involved in a favourable electrostatic interaction with the negatively charged carboxylate group of Glu226. Arrangement of this Glu226 carboxylate would also allow accommodation of a Lys side chain in this S1 pocket, in agreement with the recently observed cathepsin G preference for Lys and Phe at P1. The cathepsin G complex with the covalently bound phosphonate inhibitor mimics a tetrahedral substrate intermediate. A comparison of the Arg surface distributions of cathepsin G, leukocyte elastase and rat mast cell protease II shows no simple common recognition pattern for a mannose-6-phosphate receptor-independent targeting mechanism for sorting of these granular proteinases.     

Protease inhibitors derived from elafin and SLPI and engineered to have enhanced specificity towards neutrophil serine proteases

The secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI), elafin, and its biologically active precursor trappin‐2 are endogeneous low‐molecular weight inhibitors of the chelonianin family that control the enzymatic activity of neutrophil serine proteases (NSPs) like elastase, proteinase 3, and cathepsin G. These inhibitors may be of therapeutic value, since unregulated NSP activities are linked to inflammatory lung diseases. However SLPI inhibits elastase and cathepsin G but not proteinase 3, while elafin targets elastase and proteinase 3 but not cathepsin G. We have used two strategies to design polyvalent inhibitors of NSPs that target all three NSPs and may be used in the aerosol‐based treatment of inflammatory lung diseases. First, we fused the elafin domain with the second inhibitory domain of SLPI to produce recombinant chimeras that had the inhibitory properties of both parent molecules. Second, we generated the trappin‐2 variant, trappin‐2 A62L, in which the P1 residue Ala is replaced by Leu, as in the corresponding position in SLPI domain 2. The chimera inhibitors and trappin‐2 A62L are tight‐binding inhibitors of all three NSPs with subnanomolar K_is, similar to those of the parent molecules for their respective target proteases. We have also shown that these molecules inhibit the neutrophil membrane‐bound forms of all three NSPs. The trappin‐2 A62L and elafin‐SLPI chimeras, like wild‐type elafin and trappin‐2, can be covalently cross‐linked to fibronectin or elastin by a tissue transglutaminase, while retaining their polypotent inhibition of NSPs. Therefore, the inhibitors described herein have the appropriate properties to be further evaluated as therapeutic anti‐inflammatory agents.     

Neutrophil serine proteinases activate human nonepithelial cells to produce inflammatory cytokines through protease-activated receptor 2

Protease-activated receptors (PARs) compose a family of G protein-coupled receptors activated by proteolysis with exposure of their tethered ligand. Recently, we reported that a neutrophil-derived serine proteinase, proteinase 3 (PR3), activated human oral epithelial cells through PAR-2. The present study examined whether other neutrophil serine proteinases, human leukocyte elastase (HLE), and cathepsin G (Cat G) activate nonepithelial cells, human gingival fibroblasts (HGF). HLE and Cat G as well as PR3 activated HGF to produce IL-8 and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1. Human oral epithelial cells but not HGF express mRNA and protein of secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor, an inhibitor of HLE and Cat G, and recombinant secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor clearly inhibited the activation of HGF induced by HLE and Cat G but not by PR3. HGF express PAR-1 and PAR-2 mRNA in the cells and the proteins on the cell surface. HLE and Cat G cleaved the peptide corresponding to the N terminus of PAR-2 with exposure of its tethered ligand. Treatment with trypsin, an agonist for PAR-2, and a synthetic PAR-2 agonist peptide induced intracellular Ca(2+) mobilization and rendered cells refractory to subsequent stimulation with HLE and Cat G. The production of cytokine induced by HLE and Cat G and the PAR-2 agonist peptide was completely abolished by inhibition of phospholipase C. These findings suggest that neutrophil serine proteinases have equal ability to activate human nonepithelial cells through PAR-2 to produce inflammatory cytokines and may control a number of inflammatory processes such as periodontitis.     

Elastase and cathepsin G of human monocytes: heterogeneity and subcellular localization to peroxidase-positive granules

We used antibodies to human leukocyte ("neutrophil") elastase and cathepsin G to localize the corresponding antigens in human neutrophils, monocytes, and alveolar macrophages by immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, we combined immunogold localization with enzyme histochemistry to localize proteinase antigens and endogenous peroxidase activity in the same sections. As expected, all neutrophils contained both elastase and cathepsin G, and the proteinases localized to granules with peroxidase activity. In contrast, marked heterogeneity in monocyte staining for elastase, cathepsin G, and endogenous peroxidase was found. Sixty percent or more were unstained, while the remainder varied greatly in staining intensity. The elastase and cathepsin G in monocytes were localized by immunoelectron microscopy, combined with histochemistry, to cytoplasmic granules which had peroxidase activity. Alveolar macrophages were unstained. Therefore, a subpopulation of peripheral blood monocytes contains leukocyte elastase and cathepsin G in a cell compartment from which these enzymes may potentially be released into the extracellular space. The occurrence of peroxidase and neutral proteinases in the same granules in monocytes could permit the H2O2-myeloperoxidase-halide system and the neutral proteinases to act in concert in such functions as microbe killing and extracellular proteolysis.     

Utilization of the 1,2,5-thiadiazolidin-3-one 1,1 dioxide scaffold in the design of potent inhibitors of serine proteases: SAR studies using carboxylates

A series of carboxylate derivatives based on the 1,2,5-thiadiazolidin-3-one 1,1 dioxide and isothiazolidin-3-one 1,1 dioxide scaffolds has been synthesized and the inhibitory profile of these compounds toward human leukocyte elastase (HLE), cathepsin G (Cat G) and proteinase 3 (PR 3) was then determined. Most of the compounds were found to be potent, time-dependent inhibitors of elastase, with some of the compounds exhibiting k(inact)/K1 values as high as 4,928,300 M(-1) s(-1). The inhibitory potency of carboxylate derivatives based on the 1,2,5-thiadiazolidin-3-one 1,1 dioxide platform was found to be influenced by both the pKa and the inherent structure of the leaving group. Proper selection of the primary specificity group (R(I)) was found to lead to selective inhibition of HLE over Cat G, however, those compounds that inhibited HLE also inhibited PR 3, albeit less efficiently. The predictable mode of binding of these compounds suggests that, among closely-related serine proteases, highly selective inhibitors of a particular serine protease can be fashioned by exploiting subtle differences in their S' subsites. This study has also demonstrated that the degradative action of elastase on elastin can be abrogated in the presence of inhibitor 17.     

Evidence for a crucial role of neutrophil-derived serine proteases in the inactivation of interleukin-6 at sites of inflammation

The bioactivity of interleukin-6 (IL-6) was found to be dramatically reduced in fluids from sites of inflammation. Here, we provide evidence that the neutrophil-derived serine proteases elastase, proteinase 3 and cathepsin G are mainly involved in its degradation and subsequent inactivation. The initially hydrolyzed peptide bonds were detected to be Val(11)-Ala(12) and Leu(19)-Thr(20) (elastase), Phe(78)-Asn(79) (cathepsin G) and Ala(145)-Ser(146) (proteinase 3). The soluble IL-6 receptor elicits a protective effect against the IL-6 inactivation by cathepsin G only. The inactivation of IL-6 by neutrophil-derived serine proteases might act as a feedback mechanism terminating the IL-6-induced activation of neutrophils.