Identification of the low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP) as an endocytic receptor for thrombospondin-1

Thrombospondin-1 (TSP1) has potent biological effects on vasculature smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and endothelial cells. The regulation of extracellular accumulation of TSP1 is mediated by a previously obscure process of endocytosis which leads to its lysosomal degradation. Since members of the low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) family have been found to mediate endocytosis which leads to degradation of a diverse array of ligands, we evaluated their possible role in the uptake and degradation of TSP1 by vascular SMCs, endothelial-cells and fibroblasts. 125I-TSP1 was found to be internalized and degraded lysosomally by all these cell types. Both the internalization and degradation of 125I-TSP1 could be inhibited by a specific antagonist of the LDLR family, the 39-kD receptor-associated protein (RAP). Antibodies to the LDLR-related protein (LRP) completely blocked the uptake and degradation of 125I-TSP1 in SMCs and fibroblasts but not endothelial cells. Solid-phase binding assays confirmed that LRP bound to TSP1 and that the interaction was of high affinity (Kd = 5 nM). Neither RAP nor LRP antibodies inhibited the binding of 125I-TSP1 to surfaces of SMCs. However, cell surface binding, as well as, endocytosis and degradation could be blocked by heparin or by pre- treatment of the cells with either heparitinase, chondroitinase or beta- D-xyloside. The data indicates that cell surface proteoglycans are involved in the LRP-mediated clearance of TSP1. A model for the clearance of TSP1 by these cells is that TSP1 bound to proteoglycans is presented to LRP for endocytosis. In endothelial cells, however, the internalization of TSP1 was not mediated by LRP but since RAP inhibited TSP1 uptake and degradation, we postulate that another member of the LDLR family is likely to be involved.     

Role of the low density lipoprotein-related protein receptor in mediation of factor VIII catabolism

In the present study, we found that catabolism of coagulation factor VIII (fVIII) is mediated by the low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LPR), a liver multiligand endocytic receptor. In a solid phase assay, fVIII was shown to bind to LRP (K(d) 116 nM). The specificity was confirmed by a complete inhibition of fVIII/LRP binding by 39-kDa receptor-associated protein (RAP), an antagonist of all LRP ligands. The region of fVIII involved in its binding to LRP was localized within the A2 domain residues 484-509, based on the ability of the isolated A2 domain and the synthetic A2 domain peptide 484-509 to prevent fVIII interaction with LRP. Since vWf did not inhibit fVIII binding to LRP, we proposed that LRP receptor may internalize fVIII from its complex with vWf. Consistent with this hypothesis, mouse embryonic fibroblasts that express LRP, but not fibroblasts genetically deficient in LRP, were able to catabolize (125)I-fVIII complexed with vWf, which was not internalized by the cells. These processes could be inhibited by RAP and A2 subunit of fVIII, indicating that cellular internalization and degradation were mediated by interaction of the A2 domain of fVIII with LRP. In vivo studies of (125)I-fVIII.vWf complex clearance in mice demonstrated that RAP completely inhibited the fast phase of the biphasic (125)I-fVIII clearance that is responsible for removal of 60% of fVIII from circulation. Inhibition of the RAP-sensitive phase prolonged the half-life of (125)I-fVIII in circulation by 3.3-fold, indicating that LRP receptor plays an important role in fVIII clearance.     

TIMP-2 is released as an intact molecule following binding to MT1-MMP on the cell surface

Binding of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) to pro-MMP-2 and mature membrane type-1 MMP (MT1-MMP) on the cell surface is required for activation of MMP-2. It has been reported that following binding to cell surface receptors, TIMP-2 undergoes endocytosis and extensive degradation in lysosomes. The purpose of this study was to reexamine the fate of TIMP-2 following binding to transfected HT1080 cell surface MT1-MMP at 4 degrees C. Following 37 degrees C incubation, 125I-TIMP-2 release, endocytosis, and degradation were characterized under varying conditions. More than 85% of the total 125I-TIMP-2 bound to cells was released as intact functional molecules; <15% was degraded. Transfection of HT1080 cells with dominant negative mutant dynamin cDNA resulted in delayed endocytosis and release of 125I-TIMP-2 from cells. Pharmacologic agents that induce clustering of cell surface receptors (concanavalin A) and interfere with endosomal/lysosomal function (bafilomycin A(1)) resulted in enhanced binding of 125I-TIMP-2 to cell surface receptors. Abrogation of activation of proMT1-MMP with a furin inhibitor prevented binding and endocytosis of 125I-TIMP-2. Biotinylation of cell surface MT1-MMP followed by Western blotting confirmed the presence of mature MT1-MMP on the cell surface and degraded MT1-MMP in the intracellular compartment. In conclusion, these studies demonstrate that TIMP-2 is released from cells primarily as an intact functional molecule following binding to MT1-MMP on the cell surface.     

Membrane type 1 matrix metalloproteinase-associated degradation of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 2 in human tumor cell lines

Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 2 (TIMP-2) is required for the membrane type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP)-dependent activation of pro-MMP-2 on the cell surface. MT1-MMP-bound TIMP-2 has been shown to function as a receptor for secreted pro-MMP-2, resulting in the formation of a trimolecular complex. In the presence of uncomplexed active MT1-MMP, the prodomain of cell surface-associated MMP-2 is cleaved, and activated MMP-2 is released. However, the behavior of MT1-MMP-bound TIMP-2 during MMP-2 activation is currently unknown. In this study, (125)I-labeled recombinant TIMP-2 ((125)I-rTIMP-2) was used to investigate the fate of TIMP-2 during pro-MMP-2 activation by HT1080 and transfected A2058 cells. HT1080 and A2058 cells transfected with MT1-MMP cDNA (but not vector-transfected A2058 cells) were able to bind (125)I-rTIMP-2, to activate pro-MMP-2, and to process MT1-MMP into an inactive 43-kDa form. Under these conditions, (125)I-rTIMP-2 bound to the cell surface was rapidly internalized and degraded in intracellular organelles through a bafilomycin A(1)-sensitive mechanism, and (125)I-bearing low molecular mass fragment(s) were released in the culture medium. These different processes were inhibited by hydroxamic acid-based synthetic MMP inhibitors and rTIMP-2, but not by rTIMP-1 or cysteine, serine, or aspartic proteinase inhibitors. These results support the concept that the MT1-MMP-dependent internalization and degradation of TIMP-2 by some tumor cells might be involved in the regulation of pericellular proteolysis.     

Extracellular matrix metalloproteinase 2 levels are regulated by the low density lipoprotein-related scavenger receptor and thrombospondin 2

We have recently shown that the adhesive defect observed in dermal fibroblasts derived from thrombospondin 2 (TSP2)-null mice results from an increase in matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) levels (Yang, Z., Kyriakides, T. R., and Bornstein, P. (2000) Mol. Biol. Cell 11, 3353-3364). Adhesion was restored by replacement of TSP2 and by inhibitors of MMP2 activity. In pursuing the observation that TSP2 and MMP2 interact, we now demonstrate that this interaction is required for optimal clearance of extracellular MMP2 by fibroblasts. Since TSP2 is known to be endocytosed by the scavenger receptor, low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP), we determined whether interference with LRP function affected fibroblast adhesion and/or extracellular MMP2 levels. Addition of heparin, which competes for the binding of TSP2 to LRP coreceptor proteoglycans, inhibited adhesion of control but not TSP2-null cells, and a blocking antibody to LRP as well as the LRP inhibitor, receptor-associated protein, also inhibited adhesion and increased MMP2 levels only in control fibroblasts. TSP2 did not inhibit active MMP2 directly and did not inhibit the activation of pro-MMP2. Finally, the internalization of 125I-MMP2 was reduced in TSP2-null compared with control fibroblasts. We propose that clearance of MMP2-TSP2 complexes by LRP is an important mechanism for the regulation of extracellular MMP2 levels in fibroblasts, and perhaps in other cells. Thus, some features of the phenotype of TSP2-null mice, such as abnormal collagen fibrillogenesis, accelerated wound healing, and increased angiogenesis, could result in part from increased MMP2 activity.     

The low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein/alpha 2-macroglobulin receptor binds and mediates catabolism of bovine milk lipoprotein lipase.

Lipoprotein lipase (LPL), the major lipolytic enzyme involved in the conversion of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins to remnants, was found to compete with binding of activated alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2M*) to the low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP)/alpha 2-macroglobulin receptor. Bovine milk LPL displaced both 125I-labeled alpha 2M* and 39-kDa alpha 2M receptor-associated protein (RAP) from the surface of cultured mutant fibroblasts lacking LDL receptors with apparent KI values at 4 degrees C of 6.8 and 30 nM, respectively. Furthermore, LPL inhibited the cellular degradation of 125I-alpha 2M* at 37 degrees C. Because both alpha 2M* and RAP interact with LRP, these data suggest that LPL binds specifically to this receptor. This was further supported by observing that an immunoaffinity-isolated polyclonal antibody against LRP blocked cellular degradation of 125I-LPL in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, 125I-LPL bound to highly purified LRP in a solid-phase assay with a KD of 18 nM, and this binding could be partially displaced with alpha 2M* (KI = 7 nM) and RAP (KI = 3 nM). Taken together, these data establish that LPL binds with high affinity to LRP and undergoes LRP-mediated cellular uptake. The implication of these findings for lipoprotein catabolism in vivo may be important if LRP binding is preserved when LPL is attached to lipoproteins. If so, LPL might facilitate LRP-mediated clearance of lipoproteins.     

Characterization of the AB loop region of TIMP-2. Involvement in pro-MMP-2 activation

Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2 (TIMP-2) is unique as it is the only member of the TIMP family that is involved in the cellular activation of promatrix metalloproteinase-2 (pro-MMP-2) by virtue of forming a trimolecular complex with membrane type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) on the cell surface. TIMP-4 is similar in structure to TIMP-2 but is unable to support the activation of the proenzyme. Several reports have highlighted the importance of the TIMP-2 C-terminal domain in the pro-MMP-2 activation complex; however, very little is known about the role of the extended AB loop of TIMP-2 in this mechanism even though it has been shown to interact with MT1-MMP. In this study we show by mutagenesis and kinetic analysis that it is possible to transfer the MT1-MMP binding affinity of the TIMP-2 AB loop to TIMP-4 but that its transplantation into TIMP-4 does not endow the inhibitor with pro-MMP-2 activating activity. However, transfer of both the AB loop and C-terminal domain of TIMP-2 to TIMP-4 generates a mutant that can activate pro-MMP-2 and so demonstrates that both these regions of TIMP-2 are important for the activation process.     

Identification of low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein-2/megalin as an endocytic receptor for seminal vesicle secretory protein II

The low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein-2/megalin (LRP-2) is an endocytic receptor that is expressed on the apical surfaces of epithelial cells lining specific regions of the male and female reproductive tracts. In the present study, immunohistochemical staining revealed that LRP-2 is also expressed by epithelial cells lining the ductal region and the ampulla of the rat seminal vesicle. To identify LRP-2 ligands in the seminal vesicle, we probed seminal vesicle fluid with 125I-labeled LRP-2 in a gel-blot overlay assay. A 100-kDa protein (under non-reducing conditions) was found to bind the radiolabeled receptor. The protein was isolated and subjected to protease digestion, and the proteolytic fragments were subjected to mass spectroscopic sequence analysis. As a result, the 100-kDa protein was identified as the seminal vesicle secretory protein II (SVS-II), a major constituent of the seminal coagulum. Using purified preparations of SVS-II and LRP-2, solid-phase binding assays were used to show that the SVS-II bound to the receptor with high affinity (Kd = 5.6 nM). The binding of SVS-II to LRP-2 was inhibited using a known antagonist of LRP-2 function, the 39-kDa receptor-associated protein RAP. Using a series of recombinant subfragments of SVS-II, the LRP-2 binding site was mapped to a stretch of repeated 13-residue modules located in the central portion of the SVS-II polypeptide. To evaluate the ability of LRP-2 to mediate 125I-SVS-II endocytosis and lysosomal degradation, ligand clearance assays were performed using differentiated mouse F9 cells, which express high levels of LRP-2. Radiolabeled SVS-II was internalized and degraded by the cells, and both processes were inhibited by antibodies to LRP-2 or by RAP. The results indicate that LRP-2 binds SVS-II and can mediate its endocytosis leading to lysosomal degradation.     

Sortilin/neurotensin receptor-3 binds and mediates degradation of lipoprotein lipase

Lipoprotein lipase and the receptor-associated protein (RAP) bind to overlapping sites on the low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein/alpha2-macroglobulin receptor (LRP). We have investigated if lipoprotein lipase interacts with the RAP binding but structurally distinct receptor sortilin/neurotensin receptor-3. We show, by chemical cross-linking and surface plasmon resonance analysis, that soluble sortilin binds lipoprotein lipase with an affinity similar to that of LRP. The binding was inhibited by heparin and RAP and by the newly discovered sortilin ligand neurotensin. In 35S-labeled 3T3-L1 adipocytes treated with the cross-linker dithiobis(succinimidyl propionate), lipoprotein lipase-containing complexes were isolated by anti-sortilin antibodies. To elucidate function in cells, sortilin-negative Chinese hamster ovary cells were transfected with full-length sortilin and shown to express about 8% of the receptors on the cell surface. These cells degraded 125I-labeled lipoprotein lipase much faster than the wild-type cells. The degradation was inhibited by unlabeled lipoprotein lipase, indicating a saturable pathway, and by RAP and heparin. Moreover, inhibition by the weak base chloroquine suggested that degradation occurs in an acidic vesicle compartment. The results demonstrate that sortilin is a multifunctional receptor that binds lipoprotein lipase and, when expressed on the cell surface, mediates its endocytosis and degradation.     

The low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein mediates fibronectin catabolism and inhibits fibronectin accumulation on cell surfaces

Low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP) is a member of the low density lipoprotein receptor family, which functions as an endocytic receptor for diverse ligands. In this study, we demonstrate that murine embryonic fibroblasts (MEF-2 cells) and 13-5-1 Chinese hamster ovary cells, which are LRP-deficient, accumulate greatly increased levels of cell-surface fibronectin (Fn), compared with LRP-expressing MEF-1 and CHO-K1 cells. Increased Fn was also detected in conditioned medium from LRP-deficient MEF-2 cells; however, biosynthesis of Fn by MEF-1 and MEF-2 cells was not significantly different. When LRP-deficient cells were dissociated from monolayer culture, increased levels of Fn remained with the cells, as determined by cell-surface protein biotinylation, suggesting an intimate relationship with cell surface-binding sites. The LRP antagonist, receptor-associated protein (RAP), promoted Fn accumulation in association with MEF-1 cells, whereas expression of full-length LRP in MEF-2 cells substantially decreased Fn accumulation, confirming the role of LRP in this process. Purified LRP bound directly to immobilized Fn, and this interaction was inhibited by RAP. Furthermore, MEF-1 cells degraded (125)I-Fn at an increased rate, compared with MEF-2 cells. (125)I-Fn degradation by MEF-1 cells was inhibited by RAP. These results demonstrate that LRP functions as a catabolic receptor for Fn. The function of LRP in Fn degradation and the ability of LRP to regulate levels of other plasma membrane proteins represent possible mechanisms whereby LRP prevents Fn accumulation on cell surfaces.     

The low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein modulates levels of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) by mediating its cellular catabolism

Members of the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family of enzymes participate in matrix remodeling and share a number of structural and functional features. The activity of this family of proteinases is carefully regulated at the level of zymogen activation and by a family of specific inhibitors termed tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMP). It is now becoming clear that levels of certain MMPs are modulated by their association with cellular receptors that mediate their rapid internalization and degradation. In the current investigation we report that the amount of MMP-9 in conditioned cell culture medium is significantly increased when mouse embryonic fibroblasts are grown in the presence of the 39-kDa receptor-associated protein (RAP), an antagonist of ligand binding to low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP). In vitro assays reveal that the MMP-9.TIMP-1 complex binds to LRP with high affinity and that the binding determinant for LRP appears to reside on MMP-9. Cell lines expressing LRP mediate the internalization of 125I-labeled MMP-9.TIMP-1 complexes, whereas cell lines genetically deficient in LRP show a diminished capacity to mediate the cellular catabolism of MMP-9.TIMP-1 complexes. The results demonstrate that LRP is a functional receptor for MMP-9 and suggest a major role for LRP in modulating remodeling of the extracellular matrix by regulating extracellular proteinase activity.     

RAP,a specialized chaperone,prevents ligand-induced ER retention and degradation of LDL receptor-related endocytic receptors.

The multifunctional low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor-related protein (LRP) forms a complex with a receptor-associated protein (RAP) within the secretory pathway. RAP inhibits ligand binding to LRP and is required for normal functional expression of LRP in vivo, suggesting a physiological function as a specialized chaperone. We have used RAP-deficient mice, generated by gene targeting, to investigate the role of RAP in the biosynthesis and biological activity of LRP and other members of the LDL receptor gene family in various organs and in embryonic fibroblasts. Our results demonstrate that RAP is required for the proper folding and export of the receptors from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) by preventing the premature binding of co-expressed ligands. Overexpression of apolipoprotein E (apoE), a high affinity ligand for LRP, results in dramatically reduced cellular LRP expression, an effect that is prevented by co-expression of RAP. RAP thus defines a novel class of molecular chaperones that selectively protect endocytic receptors by binding to newly synthesized receptor polypeptides, thereby preventing ligand-induced aggregation and subsequent degradation in the ER.     

Endocytosis of hepatic lipase and lipoprotein lipase into rat liver hepatocytes in vivo is mediated by the low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein

In isolated cell studies, the internalization and degradation of hepatic lipase (HL) has been linked to its binding to the low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP). We have utilized the receptor-associated protein (RAP), a universal inhibitor of high affinity ligand binding to LRP, to evaluate the participation of LRP in the endocytosis of HL and lipoprotein lipase (LPL). We isolated a total endosome fraction from rat livers after a 30-min infusion of recombinant RAP, administered as a glutathione S-transferase conjugate (GST-RAP). GST-RAP infusion had no effect on the concentration of HL in liver homogenates, but its concentration in blood plasma increased progressively by 20%, and enrichment over homogenate of HL in endosomes was reduced by 50% as compared with infusion of GST alone. The concentrations of LPL in liver and plasma were 1.4 and 0.5%, respectively, those of HL, but endosomal enrichment of the two enzymes was similar ( approximately 10-fold). GST-RAP infusion had no effect on the concentration of LPL in liver but increased its concentration in blood plasma by 250% and reduced its endosomal enrichment by 95% or greater. GST-RAP infusion also reduced endosomal enrichment of LRP by 40%, but enrichment of several other endocytic receptors was unaffected. Endosomal enrichment of several membrane trafficking proteins associated with the endocytic pathway in hepatocytes was unaffected by GST-RAP with the exception of early endosome endosome antigen 1, which was reduced by 85%. We conclude that HL is partially and LPL almost exclusively taken up into rat hepatocytes after binding to the endocytic receptor LRP.     

α2-Macroglobulin Complexes with and Mediates the Endocytosis of β-Amyloid Peptide via Cell Surface Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor-Related Protein

Abstract: A primary histopathological feature of Alzheimer's disease is the accumulation of β-amyloid (Aβ) in the brain of afflicted individuals. However, Aβ is produced continuously as a soluble protein in healthy individuals where it is detected in serum and CSF, suggesting the existence of cellular clearance mechanisms that normally prevent its accumulation and aggregation. Here, we demonstrate that Aβ forms stable complexes with activated α₂-macroglobulin (α₂M^⋆), a physiological ligand for the low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP) that is abundantly expressed in the CNS. These α₂M^⋆/¹²⁵I-Aβ complexes are immunoreactive with both anti-Aβ and anti-α₂M IgG and are stable under various pH conditions, sodium dodecyl sulfate, reducing agents, and boiling. We demonstrate that α₂M^⋆/¹²⁵I-Aβ complexes can be degraded by glioblastoma cells and fibroblasts via LRP, because degradation is partially inhibited by receptor-associated protein (RAP), an antagonist of ligand interactions with LRP. In contrast, the degradation of free ¹²⁵I-Aβ is not inhibited by RAP and thus must be mediated via an LRP-independent pathway. These results suggest that LRP can function as a clearance receptor for Aβ via a physiological ligand.     

Cellular catabolism of lipid poor apolipoprotein E via cell surface LDL receptor-related protein

Apolipoprotein E (apoE), an apoprotein involved in lipid transport in both the plasma and within the brain, mediates the binding of lipoproteins to members of the low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor family including the LDL receptor and the LDL receptor-related protein (LRP). ApoE/LRP interactions may be particularly important in brain where both are expressed at high levels, and polymorphisms in the apoE and LRP genes have been linked to AD. To date, only apoE-enriched lipoproteins have been shown to be LRP ligands. To investigate further whether other, more lipid-poor forms of apoE interact with LRP, we tested whether lipid-free apoE in the absence of lipoprotein particles interacts with its cell-surface receptors. No detectable lipid was found associated with bacterially expressed and purified apoE either prior to or following incubation with cells when analyzed by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. We found that the degradation of lipid-poor (125)I-apoE was significantly higher in wild type as compared to LRP-deficient cells, and was inhibited by receptor-associated protein (RAP). In contrast, (125)I-apoE-enriched beta-VLDL was degraded by both LRP and the LDL receptor. When analyzed via a single cycle of endocytosis, (125)I-apoE was internalized prior to its subsequent intracellular degradation with kinetics typical of receptor-mediated endocytosis. Thus, we conclude that a very lipid-poor form of apoE can be catabolized via cell surface LRP, suggesting that the conformation of apoE necessary for recognition by LRP can be imposed by situations other than an apoE-enriched lipoprotein.     

Individual Timp deficiencies differentially impact pro-MMP-2 activation

Membrane-type matrix metalloproteinases (MT-MMPs) have emerged as key enzymes in tumor cell biology. The importance of MT1-MMP, in particular, is highlighted by its ability to activate pro-MMP-2 at the cell surface through the formation of a trimolecular complex comprised of MT1-MMP/tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2)/pro-MMP-2. TIMPs 1-4 are physiological MMP inhibitors with distinct roles in the regulation of pro-MMP-2 processing. Here, we have shown that individual Timp deficiencies differentially affect MMP-2 processing using primary mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs). Timp-3 deficiency accelerated pro-MMP-2 activation in response to both cytochalasin D and concanavalin A. Exogenous TIMP-2 and N-TIMP-3 inhibited this activation, whereas TIMP-3 containing matrix from wild-type MEFs did not rescue the enhanced MMP-2 activation in Timp-3(-/-) cells. Increased processing of MMP-2 did not arise from increased expression of MT1-MMP, MT2-MMP, or MT3-MMP or altered expression of TIMP-2 and MMP-2. To test whether increased MMP-2 processing in Timp-3(-/-) MEFs is dependent on TIMP-2, double deficient Timp-2(-/-)/-3(-/-) MEFs were used. In these double deficient cells, the cleavage of pro-MMP-2 to its intermediate form was substantially increased, but the subsequent cleavage of intermediate-MMP-2 to fully active form, although absent in Timp-2(-/-) MEFs, was detectable with combined Timp-2(-/-)/-3(-/-) deficiency. TIMP-4 associates with MMP-2 and MT1-MMP in a manner similar to TIMP-3, but its deletion had no effect on pro-MMP-2 processing. Thus, TIMP-3 provides an inherent regulation over the kinetics of pro-MMP-2 processing, serving at a level distinct from that of TIMP-2 and TIMP-4.     

Calcium regulation of matrix metalloproteinase-mediated migration in oral squamous cell carcinoma cells

Activation of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) has been shown to play a significant role in the behavior of cancer cells, affecting both migration and invasion. The activation process requires multimolecular complex formation involving pro-MMP-2, membrane type 1-MMP (MT1-MMP), and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2 (TIMP-2). Because calcium is an important regulator of keratinocyte function, we evaluated the effect of calcium on MMP regulation in an oral squamous cell carcinoma line (SCC25). Increasing extracellular calcium (0.09-1.2 mm) resulted in a dose-dependent increase in MT1-MMP-dependent pro-MMP-2 activation. Despite the requirement for MT1-MMP in the activation process, no changes in MT1-MMP expression, cell surface localization, or endocytosis were apparent. However, increased generation of the catalytically inactive 43-kDa MT1-MMP autolysis product and decline in the TIMP-2 levels in conditioned media were observed. The decrease in TIMP-2 levels in the conditioned media was prevented by a broad spectrum MMP inhibitor, suggesting that calcium promotes recruitment of TIMP-2 to MT1-MMP on the cell surface. Despite the decline in soluble TIMP-2, no accumulation of TIMP-2 in cell lysates was seen. Blocking TIMP-2 degradation with bafilomycin A1 significantly increased cell-associated TIMP-2 levels in the presence of high calcium. These data suggest that the decline in TIMP-2 is because of increased calcium-mediated MT1-MMP-dependent degradation of TIMP-2. In functional studies, increasing calcium enhanced MMP-dependent cellular migration on laminin-5-rich matrix using an in vitro colony dispersion assay. Taken together, these results suggest that changes in extracellular calcium can regulate post-translational MMP dynamics and thus affect the cellular behavior of oral squamous cell carcinoma.     

Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-2 acts synergistically with synthetic matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitors but not with TIMP-4 to enhance the (Membrane type 1)-MMP-dependent activation of pro-MMP-2

The membrane-type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) has been shown to be a key enzyme in tumor angiogenesis and metastasis. MT1-MMP hydrolyzes a variety of extracellular matrix components and is a physiological activator of pro-MMP-2, another MMP involved in malignancy. Pro-MMP-2 activation by MT1-MMP involves the formation of an MT1-MMP.tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases 2 (TIMP-2). pro-MMP-2 complex on the cell surface that promotes the hydrolysis of pro-MMP-2 by a neighboring TIMP-2-free MT1-MMP. The MT1-MMP. TIMP-2 complex also serves to reduce the intermolecular autocatalytic turnover of MT1-MMP, resulting in accumulation of active MT1-MMP (57 kDa) on the cell surface. Evidence shown here in Timp2-null cells demonstrates that pro-MMP-2 activation by MT1-MMP requires TIMP-2. In contrast, a C-terminally deleted TIMP-2 (Delta-TIMP-2), unable to form ternary complex, had no effect. However, Delta-TIMP-2 and certain synthetic MMP inhibitors, which inhibit MT1-MMP autocatalysis, can act synergistically with TIMP-2 in the promotion of pro-MMP-2 activation by MT1-MMP. In contrast, TIMP-4, an efficient MT1-MMP inhibitor, had no synergistic effect. These studies suggest that under certain conditions the pericellular activity of MT1-MMP in the presence of TIMP-2 can be modulated by synthetic and natural (TIMP-4) MMP inhibitors.     

Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor-related Protein-1 (LRP1) Regulates Thrombospondin-2 (TSP2) Enhancement of Notch3 Signaling

Intracellular trafficking of Notch and Notch ligands modulates signaling, suggesting that choreography of ligand and receptor translocation is essential for optimal Notch activity. Indeed, a major model for Notch signaling posits that Notch trans-endocytosis into the ligand-expressing (signal sending) cell is a key driving force for Notch signal transduction. The extracellular protein thrombospondin-2 (TSP2) enhances Notch signaling and binds to both Jagged1 and Notch3 ectodomains, potentially bridging two essential extracellular components of Notch signaling. We investigated the role of low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein-1 (LRP1), a TSP2 receptor, in the regulation of Notch3 signaling. TSP2 potentiation of Notch is blocked by the receptor-associated protein (an inhibitor of low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein function) and requires LRP1 expression in the signal-sending cell. TSP2 stimulates Notch3 endocytosis into wild type fibroblasts but not LRP1-deficient fibroblasts. Finally, recombinant Notch3 and Jagged1 interact with the LRP1 85-kDa B-chain, a subunit that lacks known ligand binding function. Our data suggest that LRP1 and TSP2 stimulate Notch activity by driving trans-endocytosis of the Notch ectodomain into the signal-sending cell and demonstrate a novel, non-cell autonomous function of LRP1 in cell-cell signaling.     

Utilization of a novel recombinant myoglobin fusion protein expression system to characterize the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-4 and TIMP-2 C-terminal domain and tails by mutagenesis. The importance of acidic residues in binding the MMP-2 hemopexin C-domain

Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-4 binds pro-matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and efficiently inhibits MT1-MMP, but unlike TIMP-2 neither forms a trimolecular complex nor supports pro-MMP-2 activation. To investigate the structural and functional differences between these two TIMPs, the C-terminal domains (C-TIMP-4 and C-TIMP-2) were expressed independently from their N domains and mutations were introduced into the C-terminal tails. Myoglobin was used as a novel recombinant fusion protein partner because spectroscopic measurement of the heme Soret absorbance at 408 nm readily enabled calculation of the molar equivalent of the red-colored recombinant protein, even in complex protein mixtures. Both C-TIMP-4 and C-TIMP-2 bound pro-MMP-2 and blocked concanavalin A-induced cellular activation of the enzyme. Measurement of k(on) rates revealed that the inhibition of MMP-2 by TIMP-4 is preceded by a C domain docking interaction, but in contrast to TIMP-2, this is not enhanced by a C-terminal tail interaction and so occurs at a slower rate. Indeed, the binding stability of C-TIMP-4 was unaltered by deletion of the C-terminal tail, but replacement with the tail of TIMP-2 increased its affinity for pro-MMP-2 by approximately 2-fold, as did substitution with the TIMP-2 C-terminal tail acidic residues in the tail of C-TIMP-4 (V193E/Q194D). Conversely, substitution of the C-terminal tail of C-TIMP-2 with that of TIMP-4 reduced pro-MMP-2 binding by approximately 75%, as did reduction of its acidic character by mutation to the corresponding TIMP-4 amino acid residues (E192V/D193Q). Together, this shows the importance of Glu(192) and Asp(193) in TIMP-2 binding to pro-MMP-2; the lack of these acidic residues in the TIMP-4 C-terminal tail, which reduces the stability of complex formation with the MMP-2 hemopexin C domain, probably precludes TIMP-4 from supporting the activation of pro-MMP-2.