Human 92 kDa type IV collagenase: functional analysis of fibronectin and carboxyl-end domains.

Two closely related secreted metalloproteases 72 and 92 kDa type IV collagenases (72- and 92T4Cl) consist of several structural domains, the functions of which are poorly understood. Both metalloproteases can bind to gelatin as well as form complexes with specific inhibitors in the proenzyme form. The biologic role of the proenzyme-inhibitor complex formation remained unclear. Here we summarize results demonstrating that the fibronectin-like domain of 92T4Cl mediates gelatin binding of the proenzyme, while the hemopexin like carboxy-terminal domain is essential for the complex formation of the proenzyme with TIMP. The formation of a 92T4Cl proenzyme complex with TIMP prevents dimerization, formation of the novel complex with ClI proenzyme, and activation of the 92T4Cl by stromelysin. Conversely, formation of the covalent 92T4Cl homodimer excludes the formation of a proenzyme-TIMP complex, thus allowing this form of enzyme to enter into the proteolytic cascade of activation. Both components of the 92T4Cl-ClI complex can be activated in a fashion similar to that of free enzymes, yielding a complex active against both gelatin and fibrillar collagen.

Interaction of 92-kDa type IV collagenase with the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases prevents dimerization, complex formation with interstitial collagenase, and activation of the proenzyme with stromelysin.

Secreted metalloproteases initiating proteolytic degradation of collagens and proteoglycans play a critical role in remodeling of the connective tissue. Activation of the secreted proenzymes and interaction with their specific inhibitors TIMP and TIMP-2 are responsible for regulation of enzyme activity in extracellular space. We have previously demonstrated that 92- and 72-kDa Type IV procollagenases, in contrast to interstitial collagenase (ClI), form specific complexes with TIMP and the related inhibitor TIMP-2, respectively. The physiologic significance of the proenzyme-inhibitor complex and the mechanism of activation of Type IV collagenases remained unclear. Here, we demonstrate that in the absence of TIMP, 92-kDa Type IV procollagenase (92T4Cl) can form a covalent homodimer and a novel complex with ClI. In the presence of TIMP, the formation of a 92T4Cl proenzyme complex with TIMP prevents dimerization, formation of the complex with ClI, and activation of the 92T4Cl proenzyme by stromelysin, a related metalloprotease. The proenzyme homodimer is unable to form a complex with TIMP. All TIMP-free forms of the proenzyme can be activated by stromelysin. The 92T4Cl-ClI complex can be activated to yield a complex active against both gelatin and fibrillar Type I collagen, suggesting a mechanism for cooperative action of two enzymes in reducing collagen fibrils to small peptides under physiologic conditions.

Adenovirus E1A represses protease gene expression and inhibits metastasis of human tumor cells.

Stable transfection of human tumor cell lines with the adenovirus-5 E1A gene repressed the expression of the secreted proteases, type IV collagenase, interstitial collagenase and urokinase. In addition, E1A blocked the 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate (TPA) induction of interstitial collagenase transcription in HT1080 fibrosarcoma cells. Plasmids bearing the interstitial collagenase or type IV collagenase 5' flanking regions linked to a chloramphenicol acetyl transferase coding sequence were constructed and analysed for expression by transient cotransfections into HT1080 cells. Cotransfection with a plasmid bearing a functional E1A gene repressed transcription of the type IV collagenase promoter and blocked the TPA induction of the interstitial collagenase promoter. Furthermore, E1A repressed transcription from a TK promoter driven by AP-1 complex binding sites (TRE), suggesting that E1A interferes with the AP-1 trans-activation pathway. This effect was not, however, due to the repression of c-jun gene transcription by E1A. In fact, the expression of E1A rendered the c-jun gene hypersensitive to TPA induction. Concomitant with reduction in expression levels of secreted proteases, stable E1A transfectants showed reduced metastatic activity in vivo and reduced ability to traverse a reconstituted basement membrane in vitro. Monospecific anti-type IV collagenase antibodies inhibited invasive activity of parental tumor cell lines in the in vitro assay, suggesting a possible causal relationship between the repression of secreted proteases and loss of metastatic properties of the transformants.