Matrix metalloproteinase 3 (stromelysin) activates the precursor for the human matrix metalloproteinase 9.
Matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), also known as 92-kDa gelatinase/type IV collagenase, is secreted from neutrophils, macrophages, and a number of transformed cells in zymogen form. Here we report that matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP-3/stromelysin) is an activator of the precursor of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (proMMP-9). MMP-3 initially cleaves proMMP-9 at the Glu40-Met41 bond located in the middle of the propeptide to generate an 86-kDa intermediate. Cleavage of this bond triggers a change in proMMP-9 that renders the Arg87-Phe88 bond susceptible to the second cleavage by MMP-3, resulting in conversion to an 82-kDa form. alpha 2-Macroglobulin binding studies of partially activated MMP-9 demonstrate that the 82-kDa species is proteolytically active, but not the initial intermediate of 86 kDa. This stepwise activation mechanism of proMMP-9 is analogous to those of other members of the MMP family, but the action of MMP-3 on proMMP-9 is the first example of zymogen activation that can be triggered by another member of the MMP family. The results imply that MMP-3 may be an effective activator of proMMP-9 in vivo.
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City 66103.
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Ogata
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Enghild
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Nagase
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D002460:Cell Line; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D004792:Enzyme Precursors / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D019278:Matrix Metalloproteinase 3; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D003012:Microbial Collagenase / Q000378:metabolism*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D000511:alpha-Macroglobulins / Q000378:metabolism
D004792:Enzyme Precursors; D000511:alpha-Macroglobulins; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases; D019278:Matrix Metalloproteinase 3; D003012:Microbial Collagenase; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9