title: Regulation of membrane type-1 matrix metalloproteinase activation by proprotein convertases.
abstract: Membrane type-1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) is the prototypical member of a subgroup of membrane-anchored proteinases that belong to the matrix metalloproteinase family. Although synthesized as a zymogen, MT1-MMP plays an essential role in extracellular matrix remodeling after an undefined process that unmasks its catalytic domain. We now report the existence of a proprotein convertase-MT1-MMP axis that regulates the processing and functional activity of the metalloproteinase. Two sets of basic motifs in the propeptide region of MT1-MMP are identified that potentially can be recognized by the proprotein convertase family of subtilisin-like proteases. Processing of proMT1-MMP as well as the expression of its proteolytic activity were blocked by mutating these recognition motifs or by inhibiting the proprotein convertases furin and PC6 with the serpin-based inhibitor alpha(1) antitrypsin Portland. Furthermore, both furin-dependent and furin-independent MT1-MMP processing pathways are identified that require tethering of the metalloproteinase to the cell surface. These findings demonstrate the existence of a proprotein convertase-MT1-MMP axis that can regulate extracellular matrix remodeling.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Yana
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Weiss
mesh_terms: D020816:Amino Acid Motifs; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D016466:CHO Cells; D019556:COS Cells; D006224:Cricetinae; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D045683:Furin; D006801:Humans; D053504:Matrix Metalloproteinases, Membrane-Associated; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011499:Protein Processing, Post-Translational; D013381:Subtilisins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin; C113421:alpha 1-antitrypsin Portland; D013381:Subtilisins; D045683:Furin; D053504:Matrix Metalloproteinases, Membrane-Associated; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases