title: Selective inhibition of the collagenase activity of cathepsin K.
abstract: Cathepsin K, the main bone degrading protease, and chondroitin 4-sulfate (C4-S) form a complex with enhanced collagenase activity. In this report, we demonstrate the specific inhibition of the collagenase activity of cathepsin K by negatively charged polymers without affecting the overall proteolytic activity of the protease. Three different mechanisms to interfere with cathepsin-catalyzed collagen degradation are discussed: 1) inhibition of the formation of the cathepsin K/C4-S complex, 2) inhibition of the attachment of C4-S to collagen, and 3) masking of the collagenase cleavage sites in collagen. By targeting these interaction sites, collagen degradation can be modulated while the non-collagenolytic activities of cathepsin K remain intact. The main inhibitory effect on collagen degradation is due to the impeding effect on the active cathepsin K/C4-S complex. Essential structural elements in the inhibitor molecules are negative charges which compete with the sulfate groups of C4-S in the cathepsin K/C4-S complex. The inhibitory effect can be controlled by length and charge of the polymers. Longer negatively charged polymers (e.g. polyglutamates, oligonucleotides) tend to inhibit all three mechanisms, whereas shorter ones preferentially affect the cathepsin K/C4-S complex.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry and the Center for Blood Research, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada.
authors.forename: Jana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Selent
authors.forename: Jadwiga
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kaleta
authors.forename: Zhenqiang
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Gilles
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lalmanach
authors.forename: Dieter
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Brömme
mesh_terms: D056657:Cathepsin K; D002403:Cathepsins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000737:chemistry; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates / Q000737:chemistry*; D003094:Collagen / Q000737:chemistry*; D017364:Collagenases / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D061965:Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors; D046912:Multiprotein Complexes / Q000737:chemistry*; D009841:Oligonucleotides / Q000737:chemistry*; D011099:Polyglutamic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D061965:Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors; D046912:Multiprotein Complexes; D009841:Oligonucleotides; D011099:Polyglutamic Acid; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates; D003094:Collagen; D002403:Cathepsins; C534130:CTSK protein, human; D056657:Cathepsin K; D017364:Collagenases