Plasmin dissolves the fibrin of blood clots and acts as a proteolytic factor in a variety of other processes including embryonic development, tissue remodeling, tumor invasion, and inflammation. In ovulation, weakens the walls of the Graafian follicle. It activates the urokinase-type plasminogen activator, collagenases and several complement zymogens, such as C1 and C5. Cleavage of fibronectin and laminin leads to cell detachment and apoptosis. Also cleaves fibrin, thrombospondin and von Willebrand factor. Its role in tissue remodeling and tumor invasion may be modulated by CSPG4. Binds to cells.
Degradation of adhesive glycoproteins by plasmin is implicated in cell migration. In this study, we further explored the role of plasminogen activation in cell adhesion and survival and show that uncontrolled plasminogen activation at the cell surface may induce cell detachment and apoptosis. We hypothesized that this process could be prevented in adherent cells by expression of protease nexin-1, a potent serpin able to inhibit thrombin, plasmin, and plasminogen activators. Using two- and three-dimensional culture systems, we demonstrate that Chinese hamster ovary fibroblasts constitutively express tissue-type plasminogen activator and efficiently activate exogenously added plasminogen in a specific and saturable manner (K(m) = 46 nm). The formation of plasmin results in proteolysis of fibronectin and laminin, which is followed by cell detachment and apoptosis. Protease nexin-1 expressed by transfected cells significantly inhibited the activity of plasmin and tissue-type plasminogen activator via the formation of inhibitory complexes and prevented cell detachment and apoptosis. In conclusion, protease nexin-1 may be an important anti-apoptotic factor for adherent cells. This cell model could be a useful tool to evaluate therapeutic agents such as serpins in vascular pathologies involving pericellular protease-protease inhibitor imbalance.
Degradation of adhesive glycoproteins by plasmin is implicated in cell migration. In this study, we further explored the role of plasminogen activation in cell adhesion and survival and show that uncontrolled plasminogen activation at the cell surface may induce cell detachment and apoptosis. We hypothesized that this process could be prevented in adherent cells by expression of protease nexin-1, a potent serpin able to inhibit thrombin, plasmin, and plasminogen activators. Using two- and three-dimensional culture systems, we demonstrate that Chinese hamster ovary fibroblasts constitutively express tissue-type plasminogen activator and efficiently activate exogenously added plasminogen in a specific and saturable manner (K(m) = 46 nm). The formation of plasmin results in proteolysis of fibronectin and laminin, which is followed by cell detachment and apoptosis. Protease nexin-1 expressed by transfected cells significantly inhibited the activity of plasmin and tissue-type plasminogen activator via the formation of inhibitory complexes and prevented cell detachment and apoptosis. In conclusion, protease nexin-1 may be an important anti-apoptotic factor for adherent cells. This cell model could be a useful tool to evaluate therapeutic agents such as serpins in vascular pathologies involving pericellular protease-protease inhibitor imbalance.
Beta2-glycoprotein I (beta2GPI) is a glycoprotein of unknown physiological function. It is the main target antigen for antiphospholipid antibodies in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). beta2GPI binds with high affinity to the atherogenic lipoprotein Lp(a) which shares structural homology with plasminogen, a key molecule in the fibrinolytic system. Impaired fibrinolysis has been described in APS. The present work reports the interaction between beta2GPI and Glu-Plasminogen which may explain the recently described proteolytic effect of plasmin on beta2GPI. In the process of Glu-Plasminogen activation, we found an increase in plasmin generation both at fibrin and cellular surface level as a function of the concentration of beta2GPI added, suggesting an important role as a cofactor in the trimolecular complex beta2GPI-Plasminogen-tPA. This phenomenon represents a novel regulatory step both in the positive feedback mechanism for extrinsic fibrinolysis and in antithrombotic regulation. IgG anti-beta2GPI antibodies recognized the beta2GPI at the endothelial surface inducing its activation with an increase of ICAM-I and a decrease in the expression of thrombomodulin favoring a pro-thrombotic state in the vascular endothelium. The interference in the plasmin conversion by anti-beta2GPI antibodies could generate thrombosis as observed in APS.
Degradation of adhesive glycoproteins by plasmin is implicated in cell migration. In this study, we further explored the role of plasminogen activation in cell adhesion and survival and show that uncontrolled plasminogen activation at the cell surface may induce cell detachment and apoptosis. We hypothesized that this process could be prevented in adherent cells by expression of protease nexin-1, a potent serpin able to inhibit thrombin, plasmin, and plasminogen activators. Using two- and three-dimensional culture systems, we demonstrate that Chinese hamster ovary fibroblasts constitutively express tissue-type plasminogen activator and efficiently activate exogenously added plasminogen in a specific and saturable manner (K(m) = 46 nm). The formation of plasmin results in proteolysis of fibronectin and laminin, which is followed by cell detachment and apoptosis. Protease nexin-1 expressed by transfected cells significantly inhibited the activity of plasmin and tissue-type plasminogen activator via the formation of inhibitory complexes and prevented cell detachment and apoptosis. In conclusion, protease nexin-1 may be an important anti-apoptotic factor for adherent cells. This cell model could be a useful tool to evaluate therapeutic agents such as serpins in vascular pathologies involving pericellular protease-protease inhibitor imbalance.
Interacting selectively and non-covalently with any protein or protein complex (a complex of two or more proteins that may include other nonprotein molecules).
Evidence
1:
Inferred from Physical InteractionHGNC
J. Cell Biol. 152, 1247-1254 (2001)[PubMed:11257124]
Angiostatin, a circulating inhibitor of angiogenesis, was identified by its ability to maintain dormancy of established metastases in vivo. In vitro, angiostatin inhibits endothelial cell migration, proliferation, and tube formation, and induces apoptosis in a cell type-specific manner. We have used a construct encoding the kringle domains 1--4 of angiostatin to screen a placenta yeast two-hybrid cDNA library for angiostatin-binding peptides. Here we report the identification of angiomotin, a novel protein that mediates angiostatin inhibition of migration and tube formation of endothelial cells. In vivo, angiomotin is expressed in the endothelial cells of capillaries as well as larger vessels of the human placenta. Upon expression of angiomotin in HeLa cells, angiomotin bound and internalized fluorescein-labeled angiostatin. Transfected angiomotin as well as endogenous angiomotin protein were localized to the leading edge of migrating endothelial cells. Expression of angiomotin in endothelial cells resulted in increased cell migration, suggesting a stimulatory role of angiomotin in cell motility. However, treatment with angiostatin inhibited migration and tube formation in angiomotin-expressing cells but not in control cells. These findings indicate that angiostatin inhibits cell migration by interfering with angiomotin activity in endothelial cells.
Evidence
2:
Inferred from Physical InteractionIntAct
Streptokinase (SK) is a thrombolytic agent widely used for the clinical treatment of clotting disorders such as heart attack. The treatment is based on the ability of SK to bind plasminogen (Pg) or plasmin (Pm), forming complexes that proteolytically activate other Pg molecules to Pm, which carries out fibrinolysis. SK contains three major domains. The N-terminal domain, SKalpha, provides the complex with substrate recognition towards Pg. SKalpha contains a unique mobile loop, residues 45-70, absent in the corresponding domains of other bacterial Pg activators. To study the roles of this loop, we deleted 12 residues in this loop in both full-length SK and the SKalpha fragment. Kinetic data indicate that this loop participates in the recognition of substrate Pg, but does not function in the active site formation in the activator complex. Two crystal structures of the deletion mutant of SKalpha (SKalpha(delta)) complexed with the protease domain of Pg were determined. While the structure of SKalpha(delta) is essentially the same as this domain in full-length SK, the mode of SK-Pg interaction was however different from a previously observed structure. Even though mutagenesis studies indicated that the current complex represents a minor interacting form in solution, the binding to SKalpha(delta) triggered similar conformational changes in the Pg active site in both crystal forms.
Evidence
3:
Inferred from Physical InteractionUniProtKB
The plasminogen/plasmin system is involved in a variety of normal physiological and pathological processes, including tissue remodelling, angiogenesis and tumour metastasis. Plasminogen activators and receptors for plasminogen/plasminogen activators are essential for the processing of plasminogen to form the active serine protease plasmin. Plasmin can in turn positively or negatively regulate further plasminogen activation via plasmin-mediated cleavage of receptors and activators. HRG (histidine-rich glycoprotein), a relatively abundant (approx. 100-150 microg/ml) plasma glycoprotein, has a multi-domain structure that can interact with many ligands, including Zn2+, heparin, HS (heparan sulfate) and plasminogen. HRG has been shown to function as an adaptor molecule to tether plasminogen to GAG (glycosaminoglycan)-bearing surfaces and to regulate plasminogen activation via various mechanisms. As HRG itself is sensitive to plasmin cleavage, the present study examines in detail the cleavage of human HRG by plasmin and the effect of this cleavage on various functions of HRG. HRG fragments, generated by plasmin cleavage, are held together by disulfide linkages and are not released from the molecule under non-reducing conditions. Plasmin-mediated cleavage partially inhibited HRG binding to cell surface HS, but enhanced HRG binding to necrotic cells and to plasminogen. However, both intact and plasmin-cleaved HRG enhanced the binding of plasminogen to heparin-coated surfaces to a similar extent. Furthermore, the presence of heparin, Zn2+ or acidic pH was found to protect HRG from plasmin cleavage. Thus proteolytic cleavage of HRG by plasmin may provide a feedback mechanism to regulate the effects of HRG on the plasminogen/plasmin system and other functions of HRG.
Evidence
4:
Inferred from Physical InteractionBHF-UCL
J. Biol. Chem. 251, 5956-5965 (1976)[PubMed:134998]
A procedure is presented for purifying a novel proteinase inhibitor in human plasma whose apparent unique biological property is to inhibit efficiently the lysis of fibrin clots induced by plasminogen activator. The final product is homogeneous as judged by disc gel electrophoresis, and immunoelectrophoresis. Its molecular weight estimated by sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis or sedimentation equilibrium is 67,000 and 63,000, respectively. The inhibitor is a glycoprotein consisting polypeptide chain containing 11.7% carbohyrate. It migrates in the alpha2-globulin region in immunoelectrophoresis. The inhibitor is chemically and immunologically different from all the other known inhibitors in plasma. Inhibition of plasmin by the inhibitor is almost instantaneous even at 0 degrees, in contrast to the slow inhibition of urokinase (plasminogen activator in urine). Plasminogen activation by urokinase-induced clot lysis is inhibited by the inhibitor mainly through a mechanism of instantaneous inhibition of plasmin formed and not through the inhibition of urokinase. The inhibitor also inhibits trypsin. Consequently, it is suggested that this newly identified inhibitor is named alpha2-plasmin inhibitor or alpha2-proteinase inhibitor. A specific antibody directed against the inhibitor neutralizes virtually all inhibitory activity of plasma to activator-induced clot lysis. Immunochemical quantitation of the inhibitor was specific antiserum to the inhibitor and the purified inhibitor as a standard indicates that the concentration of the inhibitory in the serum of a healthy man is in or near the range of 5 to 7 mg/100 ml, which is the lowest concentration among the concentration of the proteinase inhibitors in plasma. The inhibitor and plasmin, trypsin, or urokinase form a complex which cannot be dissociated with denaturing and reducing agents. The formation of the enzyme-inhibitor complex occurs on a 1:1 molar basis and is associated with the cleavage of a unique peptide bone, which is most clearly demonstrated in the interaction of the inhibitor and beta-trypsin. In the complex formation between the inhibitor and plasmin, the inhibitor is cross-linked with the light chain which contains the active site of plasmin. It is suggested that, in a fashion analogous to complex formation between alpha1-antitrypsin and trypsin, the cross-links are formed between the active site serine of the enzyme and the newly formed COOH-terminal residue of the inhibitor, with cleavage of a peptide bond.
Evidence
5:
Inferred from Physical InteractionIntAct
Group A streptococci (GAS) display receptors for the human zymogen plasminogen on the cell surface, one of which is the plasminogen-binding group A streptococcal M protein (PAM). Characterization of PAM genes from 12 GAS isolates showed significant variation within the plasminogen-binding repeat motifs (a1/a2) of this protein. To determine the impact of sequence variation on protein function, recombinant proteins representing five naturally occurring variants of PAM, together with a recombinant M1 protein, were expressed and purified. Equilibrium dissociation constants for the interaction of PAM variants with biotinylated Glu-plasminogen ranged from 1.58 to 4.99 nm. Effective concentrations of prototype PAM required for 50% inhibition of plasminogen binding to immobilized PAM variants ranged from 0.68 to 22.06 nm. These results suggest that although variation in the a1/a2 region of the PAM protein does affect the comparative affinity of PAM variants, the functional capacity to bind plasminogen is conserved. Additionally, a potential role for the a1 region of PAM in eliciting a protective immune response was investigated by using a mouse model for GAS infection. The a1 region of PAM was found to protect immunized mice challenged with a PAM-positive GAS strain. These data suggest a link between selective immune pressure against the plasminogen-binding repeats and the functional conservation of the binding domain in PAM variants.
Evidence
6:
Inferred from Physical InteractionBHF-UCL
Thrombospondin (TSP), a multifunctional alpha-granule glycoprotein of platelets, binds fibrinogen, fibronectin, heparin, and histidine-rich glycoprotein and thus may play an important role in regulating thrombotic influences at vessel surfaces. In this study we have demonstrated that purified human platelet TSP formed a complex with purified human plasminogen (Plg). Complex formation was detected by rocket immunoelectrophoresis of mixtures of the purified radiolabeled proteins. Significant complex formation of fluid-phase Plg with adsorbed TSP was also demonstrated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The complex formation was specific, saturable, and inhibited by excess fluid-phase TSP, with an apparent KD of approximately 35 nM. In both ELISA and rocket immunoelectrophoresis systems, complex formation was inhibited by 10 mM epsilon-amino-n-caproic acid, implying that there is a role for the lysine binding sites of Plg in mediating the interaction. TSP also formed a complex with plasmin as detected by ELISA but did not directly inhibit plasmin activity measured with a synthetic fluorometric substrate or with a 125I-fibrin plate assay. TSP, when incubated with Plg before addition to 125I-fibrin plates significantly inhibited the generation of plasmin activity by tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) in a manner that was calcium dependent. A kinetic study of Plg activation by TPA in the presence of TSP demonstrated that Michaelis-Menten kinetics were followed and that TSP acted as a noncompetitive inhibitor. These studies support the hypothesis that TSP, acting as a multifunctional regulator in focal areas of active hemostasis, could serve as a prothrombotic influence, leading to increased deposition of fibrin.
Evidence
7:
Inferred from Physical InteractionHGNC
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 96, 2811-2816 (1999)[PubMed:10077593]
Angiostatin, a proteolytic fragment of plasminogen, is a potent antagonist of angiogenesis and an inhibitor of endothelial cell migration and proliferation. To determine whether the mechanism by which angiostatin inhibits endothelial cell migration and/or proliferation involves binding to cell surface plasminogen receptors, we isolated the binding proteins for plasminogen and angiostatin from human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Binding studies demonstrated that plasminogen and angiostatin bound in a concentration-dependent, saturable manner. Plasminogen binding was unaffected by a 100-fold molar excess of angiostatin, indicating the presence of a distinct angiostatin binding site. This finding was confirmed by ligand blot analysis of isolated human umbilical vein endothelial cell plasma membrane fractions, which demonstrated that plasminogen bound to a 44-kDa protein, whereas angiostatin bound to a 55-kDa species. Amino-terminal sequencing coupled with peptide mass fingerprinting and immunologic analyses identified the plasminogen binding protein as annexin II and the angiostatin binding protein as the alpha/beta-subunits of ATP synthase. The presence of this protein on the cell surface was confirmed by flow cytometry and immunofluorescence analysis. Angiostatin also bound to the recombinant alpha-subunit of human ATP synthase, and this binding was not inhibited by a 2,500-fold molar excess of plasminogen. Angiostatin's antiproliferative effect on endothelial cells was inhibited by as much as 90% in the presence of anti-alpha-subunit ATP synthase antibody. Binding of angiostatin to the alpha/beta-subunits of ATP synthase on the cell surface may mediate its antiangiogenic effects and the down-regulation of endothelial cell proliferation and migration.
Evidence
8:
Inferred from Physical InteractionUniProtKB
J. Biol. Chem. 272, 5718-5726 (1997)[PubMed:9102401]
Histidine-proline-rich glycoprotein (HPRG), also known as histidine-rich glycoprotein, is a major plasminogen-binding protein. In this work we characterized extensively the circumstances under which HPRG accelerates plasminogen activation and the specificity of this effect. Soluble HPRG did not significantly influence plasminogen activation. In contrast, native HPRG bound to hydrazide or nickel chelate surfaces strongly stimulated the activation of plasminogen by tissue plasminogen activator, but not by urokinase or streptokinase. The efficiency of activation on surface-bound HPRG was increased for Glu-plasminogen (41-fold), Lys-plasminogen (17-fold), and cross-linked Glu-plasminogen (11-fold) but not for mini-plasminogen, and was mainly due to a decrease in the apparent Km. A reduced susceptibility to inhibition by chloride ions contributed to the higher activation rate of Glu-plasminogen on an HPRG surface. The immobilized N- and C-terminal domains, but not the histidine-proline-rich domain of HPRG, also bound plasminogen and stimulated its activation. HPRG-enhanced plasminogen activation was proportional to the quantity of HPRG immobilized and was abolished by anti-HPRG antiserum, by low concentrations of epsilon-aminocaproic acid, by methylation of lysine residues in HPRG, and by treatment of HPRG with carboxypeptidase B. Soluble HPRG and a plasminogen fragment, kringle 1-2-3, acted as competitive inhibitors by binding to plasminogen and immobilized HPRG, respectively. The interaction of the conserved C-terminal lysine of HPRG with the high affinity lysine binding site of plasminogen is necessary and sufficient to accelerate plasminogen activation. Unlike other stimulators of plasminogen activation, the effect of HPRG on fibrinolysis is modulated by factors that influence the equilibrium between solution and surface-bound HPRG.
J. Biol. Chem. 273, 29241-29246 (1998)[PubMed:9786936]
Tetranectin, a homotrimeric protein belonging to the family of C-type lectins and structurally highly related to corresponding regions of the mannose-binding proteins, is known specifically to bind the plasminogen kringle 4 protein domain, an interaction sensitive to lysine. Surface plasmon resonance and isothermal calorimetry binding analyses using single-residue and deletion mutant tetranectin derivatives produced in Escherichia coli showed that the kringle 4 binding site resides in the carbohydrate recognition domain and includes residues of the putative carbohydrate binding site. Furthermore, the binding analysis revealed that the interaction is sensitive to calcium in addition to lysine.
Catalysis of the hydrolysis of internal, alpha-peptide bonds in a polypeptide chain by a catalytic mechanism that involves a catalytic triad consisting of a serine nucleophile that is activated by a proton relay involving an acidic residue (e.g. aspartate or glutamate) and a basic residue (usually histidine).
Degradation of adhesive glycoproteins by plasmin is implicated in cell migration. In this study, we further explored the role of plasminogen activation in cell adhesion and survival and show that uncontrolled plasminogen activation at the cell surface may induce cell detachment and apoptosis. We hypothesized that this process could be prevented in adherent cells by expression of protease nexin-1, a potent serpin able to inhibit thrombin, plasmin, and plasminogen activators. Using two- and three-dimensional culture systems, we demonstrate that Chinese hamster ovary fibroblasts constitutively express tissue-type plasminogen activator and efficiently activate exogenously added plasminogen in a specific and saturable manner (K(m) = 46 nm). The formation of plasmin results in proteolysis of fibronectin and laminin, which is followed by cell detachment and apoptosis. Protease nexin-1 expressed by transfected cells significantly inhibited the activity of plasmin and tissue-type plasminogen activator via the formation of inhibitory complexes and prevented cell detachment and apoptosis. In conclusion, protease nexin-1 may be an important anti-apoptotic factor for adherent cells. This cell model could be a useful tool to evaluate therapeutic agents such as serpins in vascular pathologies involving pericellular protease-protease inhibitor imbalance.
A programmed cell death process which begins when a cell receives an internal (e.g. DNA damage) or external signal (e.g. an extracellular death ligand), and proceeds through a series of biochemical events (signaling pathways) which typically lead to rounding-up of the cell, retraction of pseudopodes, reduction of cellular volume (pyknosis), chromatin condensation, nuclear fragmentation (karyorrhexis), plasma membrane blebbing and fragmentation of the cell into apoptotic bodies. The process ends when the cell has died. The process is divided into a signaling pathway phase, and an execution phase, which is triggered by the former.
The sequential process in which the multiple coagulation factors of the blood interact, ultimately resulting in the formation of an insoluble fibrin clot; it may be divided into three stages: stage 1, the formation of intrinsic and extrinsic prothrombin converting principle; stage 2, the formation of thrombin; stage 3, the formation of stable fibrin polymers.
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 88, 115-119 (1991)[PubMed:1986355]
The gene coding for plasminogen has been compared with several abnormal genes from Japanese patients by the polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequence analysis. Two types of abnormal genes coding for plasminogen were identified in these patients. In the type I mutation, a guanosine in GCT coding for Ala-601 near the active-site histidine was replaced by an adenosine resulting in ACT coding for threonine. This mutation was also shown by the loss of a cleavage site for Fnu4HI endonuclease, a restriction enzyme that recognizes GCTGC but not ACTGC. In the type II mutation, a guanosine in GTC coding for Val-355 was replaced by a thymidine resulting in TTC coding for phenylalanine. This change was readily shown by digestion with Ava II endonuclease, a restriction enzyme that recognizes GGTCC and not GTTCC. The type I mutation has been found to be identical to a plasminogen variant identified in Japanese patients by amino acid sequence analysis and also detected by isoelectric focusing, whereas the type II mutation is a unique amino acid substitution in the connecting region between the third and fourth kringles in plasminogen. DNA sequence analysis also revealed that the abnormal genes carry several silent nucleotide substitutions located primarily within introns and 5' and 3' flanking regions.
Degradation of adhesive glycoproteins by plasmin is implicated in cell migration. In this study, we further explored the role of plasminogen activation in cell adhesion and survival and show that uncontrolled plasminogen activation at the cell surface may induce cell detachment and apoptosis. We hypothesized that this process could be prevented in adherent cells by expression of protease nexin-1, a potent serpin able to inhibit thrombin, plasmin, and plasminogen activators. Using two- and three-dimensional culture systems, we demonstrate that Chinese hamster ovary fibroblasts constitutively express tissue-type plasminogen activator and efficiently activate exogenously added plasminogen in a specific and saturable manner (K(m) = 46 nm). The formation of plasmin results in proteolysis of fibronectin and laminin, which is followed by cell detachment and apoptosis. Protease nexin-1 expressed by transfected cells significantly inhibited the activity of plasmin and tissue-type plasminogen activator via the formation of inhibitory complexes and prevented cell detachment and apoptosis. In conclusion, protease nexin-1 may be an important anti-apoptotic factor for adherent cells. This cell model could be a useful tool to evaluate therapeutic agents such as serpins in vascular pathologies involving pericellular protease-protease inhibitor imbalance.
The process whose specific outcome is the progression of a blood vessel of the labyrinthine layer of the placenta over time, from its formation to the mature structure. The embryonic vessels grow through the layer to come in close contact with the maternal blood supply.
The process in which a relatively unspecialized cell acquires specialized features of a myoblast. A myoblast is a mononucleate cell type that, by fusion with other myoblasts, gives rise to the myotubes that eventually develop into striated muscle fibers.
J. Biol. Chem. 271, 29461-29467 (1996)[PubMed:8910613]
Recently we have identified angiostatin, an endogenous angiogenesis inhibitor of 38 kDa which specifically blocks the growth of endothelial cells (O'Reilly, M. S., Holmgren, L., Shing, Y., Chen, C. , Rosenthal, R. A., Moses, M., Lane, W. S., Cao, Y., Sage, E. H., and Folkman, J. (1994) Cell 79, 315-328; Folkman, J. (1995) Nat. Med. 1, 27-31). Angiostatin was shown to represent an internal fragment of plasminogen containing the first four kringle structures. We now report on the inhibitory effects of individual or combined kringle structures of angiostatin on capillary endothelial cell proliferation. Recombinant kringle 1 and kringle 3 exhibit potent inhibitory activity with half-maximal concentrations (ED50) of 320 nM and 460 nM, respectively. Also, recombinant kringle 2 displays a significant inhibition, although decreased compared with both kringle 1 and kringle 3. In contrast, kringle 4 is an ineffective inhibitor of basic fibroblast growth factor-stimulated endothelial cell proliferation. Among the tandem kringle arrays, the recombinant kringle 2-3 fragment exerts inhibitory activity similar to kringle 2 alone. However, relative to kringle 2-3, a marked enhancement in inhibition is observed when individual kringle 2 and kringle 3 are added together to endothelial cells. This implies that it is necessary to open the cystine bridge between kringle 2 and kringle 3 to obtain the maximal inhibitory effect of kringle 2-3. An increased (<2-fold) inhibitory activity is observed for the kringle 1-3 fragment (ED50 = 70 nM) compared with kringle 1-4 (ED50 = 135 nM). These data indicate that the anti-proliferative activity of angiostatin on endothelial cells is shared by kringle 1, kringle 2, and kringle 3, but probably not by kringle 4 and that more potent inhibition results when kringle 4 is removed from angiostatin. Thus, in view of the variable lysine affinity of the homologous domains, it would appear that lysine binding capability does not correlate with the relative inhibitory effects of the kringle-containing constructs. However, as we also demonstrate, appropriate folding of kringle structures is essential for angiostatin to maintain its full anti-endothelial activity.
The plasminogen activator/plasmin system is one of the main protease systems involved in tumor cell invasion and metastasis. Our previous study has shown that plasmin degrades E-cadherin and promotes cell dissemination by downregulation of E-cadherin-mediated cell-cell adhesion in oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cells. To examine the effect of downregulation of the plasminogen activator/plasmin system by alpha2-antiplasmin (alpha2-AP) on cell-cell adhesion mediated by E-cadherin in oral SCC cells, the oral SCC cell line SCCKN was stably transfected with alpha2-AP cDNA. Induction of alpha2-AP expression led to the inhibition of the proteolysis of E-cadherin by plasminogen activator/plasmin in SCC cells, resulting in the enhancement of the cell aggregation and the suppression of the cell motility. Moreover, alpha2-AP also reduced the ability of SCC cells to invade type I collagen gel, and suppressed tumorigenicity in vivo. These results suggested that downregulation of the plasminogen activator/ plasmin system by alpha2-AP might be a potent therapeutic approach to prevent the progression of oral SCC.
Any process that decreases the frequency, rate or extent of cell-substrate adhesion. Cell-substrate adhesion is the attachment of a cell to the underlying substrate via adhesion molecules.
Degradation of adhesive glycoproteins by plasmin is implicated in cell migration. In this study, we further explored the role of plasminogen activation in cell adhesion and survival and show that uncontrolled plasminogen activation at the cell surface may induce cell detachment and apoptosis. We hypothesized that this process could be prevented in adherent cells by expression of protease nexin-1, a potent serpin able to inhibit thrombin, plasmin, and plasminogen activators. Using two- and three-dimensional culture systems, we demonstrate that Chinese hamster ovary fibroblasts constitutively express tissue-type plasminogen activator and efficiently activate exogenously added plasminogen in a specific and saturable manner (K(m) = 46 nm). The formation of plasmin results in proteolysis of fibronectin and laminin, which is followed by cell detachment and apoptosis. Protease nexin-1 expressed by transfected cells significantly inhibited the activity of plasmin and tissue-type plasminogen activator via the formation of inhibitory complexes and prevented cell detachment and apoptosis. In conclusion, protease nexin-1 may be an important anti-apoptotic factor for adherent cells. This cell model could be a useful tool to evaluate therapeutic agents such as serpins in vascular pathologies involving pericellular protease-protease inhibitor imbalance.
Any process that stops, prevents, or reduces the frequency, rate or extent of fibrinolysis, an ongoing process that solubilizes fibrin, resulting in the removal of small blood clots.
BEta(2)-glycoprotein I (beta(2)-GPI) is proteolytically cleaved by plasmin in domain V (nicked beta(2)-GPI), being unable to bind to phospholipids. This cleavage may occur in vivo and elevated plasma levels of nicked beta(2)-GPI were detected in patients with massive plasmin generation and fibrinolysis turnover. In this study, we report higher prevalence of elevated ratio of nicked beta(2)-GPI against total beta(2)-GPI in patients with ischemic stroke (63%) and healthy subjects with lacunar infarct (27%) when compared to healthy subjects with normal findings on magnetic resonance imaging (8%), suggesting that nicked beta(2)-GPI might have a physiologic role beyond that of its parent molecule in patients with thrombosis. Several inhibitors of extrinsic fibrinolysis are known, but a negative feedback regulator has not been yet documented. We demonstrate that nicked beta(2)-GPI binds to Glu-plasminogen with K(D) of 0.37 x 10(-6) M, presumably mediated by the interaction between the fifth domain of nicked beta(2)-GPI and the fifth kringle domain of Glu-plasminogen. Nicked beta(2)-GPI also suppressed plasmin generation up to 70% in the presence of tissue plasminogen activator, plasminogen, and fibrin. Intact beta(2)-GPI lacks these properties. These data suggest that beta(2)-GPI/plasmin-nicked beta(2)-GPI controls extrinsic fibrinolysis via a negative feedback pathway loop.
Any process that activates, maintains or increases the frequency, rate or extent of fibrinolysis, an ongoing process that solubilizes fibrin, resulting in the removal of small blood clots.
Thrombospondin (TSP), a multifunctional alpha-granule glycoprotein of platelets, binds fibrinogen, fibronectin, heparin, and histidine-rich glycoprotein and thus may play an important role in regulating thrombotic influences at vessel surfaces. In this study we have demonstrated that purified human platelet TSP formed a complex with purified human plasminogen (Plg). Complex formation was detected by rocket immunoelectrophoresis of mixtures of the purified radiolabeled proteins. Significant complex formation of fluid-phase Plg with adsorbed TSP was also demonstrated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The complex formation was specific, saturable, and inhibited by excess fluid-phase TSP, with an apparent KD of approximately 35 nM. In both ELISA and rocket immunoelectrophoresis systems, complex formation was inhibited by 10 mM epsilon-amino-n-caproic acid, implying that there is a role for the lysine binding sites of Plg in mediating the interaction. TSP also formed a complex with plasmin as detected by ELISA but did not directly inhibit plasmin activity measured with a synthetic fluorometric substrate or with a 125I-fibrin plate assay. TSP, when incubated with Plg before addition to 125I-fibrin plates significantly inhibited the generation of plasmin activity by tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) in a manner that was calcium dependent. A kinetic study of Plg activation by TPA in the presence of TSP demonstrated that Michaelis-Menten kinetics were followed and that TSP acted as a noncompetitive inhibitor. These studies support the hypothesis that TSP, acting as a multifunctional regulator in focal areas of active hemostasis, could serve as a prothrombotic influence, leading to increased deposition of fibrin.
The hydrolysis of a peptide bond or bonds within a protein as part of the chemical reactions and pathways resulting in the breakdown of a protein by individual cells.
The reorganization or renovation of existing tissues. This process can either change the characteristics of a tissue such as in blood vessel remodeling, or result in the dynamic equilibrium of a tissue such as in bone remodeling.
The process in which a relatively unspecialized cell acquires specialized features of a trophoblast giant cell of the placenta. Trophoblast giant cells are the cell of the placenta that line the maternal decidua.
IEAOrtholog Compara
Enzymatic activity
This protein acts as an enzyme. It is known to catalyze the following reaction
EC 3.4.21.7: Preferential cleavage: Lys-|-Xaa > Arg-|-Xaa; higher selectivity than trypsin. Converts fibrin into soluble products.
J. Biol. Chem. 265, 13669-13676 (1990)[PubMed:2143188]
The COOH-terminal portion of the A alpha chain of human fibrinogen is highly susceptible to proteolytic degradation. This property has prevented isolation of the COOH-terminal domain of fibrinogen for the direct investigation of its functional characteristics. Human fibrinogen was degraded with hementin, a fibrinogen-olytic protease from the posterior salivary glands of the leech, Haementeria ghilianii. Two initial fragments, Yhem1 and Dhem1, produced by cleavage through the three polypeptide chains in the connector region, were characterized and shown to retain the entire A alpha COOH-terminal domain. Late cleavages by hementin occurred in the A alpha chain COOH-terminal region to produce fragments Yhem and Dhem with shorter A alpha chain remnants. Fragments Dhem were isolated from an intermediate hementin digest of fibrinogen using anion-exchange chromatography. Fragment Dhem1 was separated further from Dhem fragments with shorter alpha chain remnants by affinity chromatography on immobilized plasma fibronectin. Fragment Dhem1 represents a unique proteolytic fragment of fibrinogen containing an intact A alpha chain COOH-terminal region. NH2-terminal sequence analysis of isolated chains from fragment Dhem1 located hementin cleavage sites in the connector region to A alpha Asn102-Asn103, B beta Lys130-Gln131, and gamma Pro76-Asn77. The specific interaction of fragment Dhem1 with immobilized fibronectin indicated that the binding site probably was located within the COOH-terminal 111 amino acids of the A alpha chain. The overall pattern of fibrinogen cleavage by hementin is similar to that of plasmin, yet hementin cleaves preferably in the coiled-coil connector, sparing the A alpha COOH-terminal domain.
Converted into plasmin by plasminogen activators, both plasminogen and its activator being bound to fibrin. Activated with catalytic amounts of streptokinase. Plasmin activity inhibited by SERPINE2.
Degradation of adhesive glycoproteins by plasmin is implicated in cell migration. In this study, we further explored the role of plasminogen activation in cell adhesion and survival and show that uncontrolled plasminogen activation at the cell surface may induce cell detachment and apoptosis. We hypothesized that this process could be prevented in adherent cells by expression of protease nexin-1, a potent serpin able to inhibit thrombin, plasmin, and plasminogen activators. Using two- and three-dimensional culture systems, we demonstrate that Chinese hamster ovary fibroblasts constitutively express tissue-type plasminogen activator and efficiently activate exogenously added plasminogen in a specific and saturable manner (K(m) = 46 nm). The formation of plasmin results in proteolysis of fibronectin and laminin, which is followed by cell detachment and apoptosis. Protease nexin-1 expressed by transfected cells significantly inhibited the activity of plasmin and tissue-type plasminogen activator via the formation of inhibitory complexes and prevented cell detachment and apoptosis. In conclusion, protease nexin-1 may be an important anti-apoptotic factor for adherent cells. This cell model could be a useful tool to evaluate therapeutic agents such as serpins in vascular pathologies involving pericellular protease-protease inhibitor imbalance.
Protein involved in blood clotting, a complex enzymatic cascade, in which the activated form of one factor catalyzes the activation of the next factor. Both, the extrinsic clotting pathway, induced by a damaged surface, and the intrinsic pathway, induced by a trauma, converge in a final common pathway to form cross-linked fibrin clots.
Protein involved in tissue remodeling. As an example the matrix- degrading plasminogen activators (PAs) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are general proteolytic enzyme systems which mediate tissue remodeling and tissue destruction in a variety of physiological and pathological conditions, including ovulation, angiogenesis, implantation, tumor invasion and inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Enzyme which catalyzes hydrolysis reaction, i.e. the addition of the hydrogen and hydroxyl ions of water to a molecule with its consequent splitting into two or more simpler molecules.
Proteolytic enzyme with a serine residue (Ser) in its active site. The reactivity of the serine residue is ensured by the vicinity of a histidine and an aspartate residue (catalytic triad), all three residues are required for the charge relay system to take place.
A reference proteome is a set of protein sequences derived from a complete proteome which constitutes a defined standard for a particular user community. Reference proteomes are manually defined according to a number of criteria. They cover the proteomes of well- studied model organisms and other proteomes of interest for biomedical and biotechnological research. Reference proteomes have been selected to provide broad coverage of the tree of life, and constitute a representative cross-section of the taxonomic diversity to be found within UniProtKB.