title: The hemopexin-like domain (C domain) of human gelatinase A (matrix metalloproteinase-2) requires Ca2+ for fibronectin and heparin binding. Binding properties of recombinant gelatinase A C domain to extracellular matrix and basement membrane components.
abstract: The binding properties of the COOH-terminal hemopexin-like domain (C domain) of human gelatinase A (matrix metalloproteinase-2, 72-kDa gelatinase) were investigated to determine whether the C domain has binding affinity for extracellular matrix and basement membrane components. Recombinant C domain (rC domain) (Gly417-Cys631) was expressed in Escherichia coli, and the purified protein, identified using two antipeptide antibodies, was determined by electrospray mass spectrometry to have a mass of 25,925 Da, within 0.1 Da of that predicted. As assessed by microwell substrate binding assays and by column affinity chromatography, the matrix proteins laminin, denatured type I collagen, elastin, SPARC (secreted protein that is acidic and rich in cysteine), tenascin, and MatrigelTM were not bound by the rC domain. Unlike the hemopexin-like domains of collagenase and stromelysin, the rC domain also did not bind native type I collagen. Nor were native or denatured types II, IV, V, and X collagen, or the NC1 domain of type VII collagen bound. However, binding to heparin and fibronectin (Kd, 1.1 x 10(-6) M) could be disrupted by 0.58-0.76 and 0.3 M NaCl, respectively. Using nonoverlapping chymotrypsin-generated fragments of fibronectin, binding sites for the rC domain were found on both the 40-kDa heparin binding and the 120-kDa cell binding fibronectin domains (Kd values, approximately 4-6 x 10(-7) M). The Ca2+ ion, but not the potential structural Zn2+ ion, were found to be essential for maintaining the binding properties of the protein. The apo-form of the rC domain did not bind heparin, and both ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and the specific Ca2+ ion chelator 1, 2-bis(2-aminophenoxy) ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid, but not the Zn2+ ion chelator 1,10-phenanthroline, eluted the holo form of the rC domain from both heparin-Sepharose and fibronectin. Inductive coupled plasma mass spectrometry also did not detect a Zn2+ ion in the rC domain. In contrast, reduction with 65 mM dithiothreitol did not interfere with heparin binding, further emphasizing the crucial structural role played by the Ca2+ ion. Together, these data demonstrate for the first time that the hemopexin-like domain of gelatinase A has a binding site for fibronectin and heparin, and that Ca2+ ions are important in maintaining the structure and function of the domain.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Dentistry and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 2199 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada.
authors.forename: U M
authors.initials: UM
authors.lastname: Wallon
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Overall
mesh_terms: D001665:Binding Sites; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000378:metabolism*; D018093:Gelatinases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D006466:Hemopexin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D006493:Heparin / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D011485:Protein Binding; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D005353:Fibronectins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D006493:Heparin; D006466:Hemopexin; D018093:Gelatinases