title: Activation of matrix metalloproteinase 3 (stromelysin) and matrix metalloproteinase 2 ('gelatinase') by human neutrophil elastase and cathepsin G.
abstract: The ability of human neutrophil elastase and cathepsin G to activate matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP-3 = stromelysin) and MMP-2 ('gelatinase') purified from human rheumatoid synovial fibroblasts in culture was examined. The zymogen of MMP-3 (proMMP-3) was activated to full activity with elastase and cathepsin G by limited proteolysis of the molecule into two active forms of Mr approximately 45,000 and Mr approximately 25,000. In contrast, proMMP-2 was not activated at all by these neutrophil serine proteinases, although it was degraded into small fragments. These data suggest that neutrophil elastase and cathepsin G may play an important role in the activation of proMMP-3 in vivo in various inflammatory conditions, but proMMP-2 may be activated in different ways.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Kanazawa University, Japan.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Okada
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Nakanishi
mesh_terms: D056649:Cathepsin G; D002403:Cathepsins / Q000378:metabolism*; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D005347:Fibroblasts; D018093:Gelatinases; D006801:Humans; D019278:Matrix Metalloproteinase 3; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases / Q000378:metabolism*; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000201:enzymology*; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase / Q000378:metabolism*; D010434:Pepsin A / Q000378:metabolism*; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases
chemical_list: D002403:Cathepsins; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases; C534094:CTSG protein, human; D056649:Cathepsin G; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase; D010434:Pepsin A; D018093:Gelatinases; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases; D019278:Matrix Metalloproteinase 3