Growth and trophic factors

The nerve growth factor and its receptors in airway inflammatory diseases

The nerve growth factor (NGF) belongs to the neurotrophin family and induces its effects through activation of 2 distinct receptor types: the tropomyosin-related kinase A (TrkA) receptor, carrying an intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity in its intracellular domain, and the receptor p75 for neurotrophins (p75NTR), belonging to the death receptor family. Through activation of its TrkA receptor, NGF activates signalling pathways, including phospholipase Cgamma (PLCgamma), phosphatidyl-inositol 3-kinase (PI3K), the small G protein Ras, and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK). Through its p75NTR receptor, NGF activates proapoptotic signalling pathways including the MAPK c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), ceramides, and the small G protein Rac, but also activates pathways promoting cell survival through the transcription factor nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB). NGF was first described by Rita Levi-Montalcini and collaborators as an important factor involved in nerve differentiation and survival. Another role for NGF has since been established in inflammation, in particular of the airways, with increased NGF levels in chronic inflammatory diseases. In this review, we will first describe NGF structure and synthesis and NGF receptors and their signalling pathways. We will then provide information about NGF in the airways, describing its expression and regulation, as well as pointing out its potential role in inflammation, hyperresponsiveness, and remodelling process observed in airway inflammatory diseases, in particular in asthma.

Early days of the nerve growth factor proteins

Adult male mouse submaxillary glands served as the preferred starting material for the isolation of the nerve growth factor (NGF) proteins in most of the isolation studies done. Two types of NGF proteins were isolated from extracts of the gland, a high-molecular-weight 7S NGF complex and a low-molecular-weight protein variously called NGF, betaNGF, or 2.5S NGF. The latter, which mediated all known biological functions of NGF, were closely related forms of a basic NGF dimer in which the N and C termini of two monomers (chains) were modified by proteolytic enzymes to different extents with no effect on biological activity. The betaNGF dimer showed a novel protein structure in which the two chains interacted non-covalently over a wide surface. Correspondingly, the betaNGF dimer was found to be unusually stable and the form through which NGFs actions were mediated at physiological concentrations. The betaNGF dimer was one of three subunits in 7S NGF; the other two were the gamma subunit, an arginine esteropeptidase or kallikrein, and the alpha subunit, an inactive kallikrein. Two zinc ions were also present in the complex and contributed greatly to its stability. There was much debate about whether 7S NGF was a specific protein complex of interacting subunits and, if so, what functions it might play in the biology of NGF. Observations of the inhibition of the enzyme activity of the gamma subunit and of the biological activity of betaNGF in 7S NGF were important in determining that 7S NGF was a naturally occurring complex and the sole source of NGF in the gland extract or in saliva. Specific interactions between the active site of the gamma subunit and the C-terminal arginine residues of the NGF chains, confirmed in the three-dimensional structure of 7S NGF, suggested a role for the gamma subunit in pro-NGF processing during the assembly of 7S NGF. In spite of the detailed knowledge of 7S NGF structure, no information on the role of this complex in the neurobiology of NGF has emerged. With the exception of the submaxillary gland of an African rodent, no other source of NGF has been convincingly shown to synthesize the alpha and gamma subunits, and they may well be irrelevant to NGFs actions.

Nerve growth factor alpha subunit: effect of site-directed mutations on catalytic activity and 7S NGF complex formation

Mouse alpha- and gamma-nerve growth factor (NGF) are glandular kallikreins that form a non-covalent complex (7S NGF) with beta-NGF. gamma-NGF is an active arginine-specific esteropeptidase; the alpha-subunit is catalytically inactive and has a zymogen-like conformation. Site-directed mutagenesis of alpha-NGF to alter the N-terminus and three residues in loop 7, a region that contributes to the catalytic center, restored substantial catalytic activity against N-benzoyl arginine-p-nitroanilide as substrate in two derivatives although they were not as active as recombinant gamma-NGF. Seven of the 15 derivatives that remained more alpha-like were able to substitute for native alpha-NGF in reforming 7S complexes; the other eight derivatives that were more gamma-like showed greatly reduced ability to do so. However, the most gamma-like alpha-NGF derivative could not substitute for native gamma-NGF in 7S complex formation. These findings suggest that the alpha-NGF backbone can be corrected to a functional enzyme by the addition of a normal N-terminal structure and two catalytic site substitutions and that the 7S complex requires one kallikrein subunit in the zymogen form and one in an active conformation.

Structure of mouse 7S NGF: a complex of nerve growth factor with four binding proteins

BACKGROUND

Nerve growth factor (NGF) is a neurotrophic factor that promotes the differentiation and survival of certain populations of neurons in the central and peripheral nervous systems. 7S NGF is an alpha 2 beta 2 gamma 2 complex in which the beta-NGF dimer (the active neurotrophin) is associated with two alpha-NGF and two gamma-NGF subunits, which belong to the glandular kallikrein family of serine proteinases. The gamma-NGF subunit is an active serine proteinase capable of processing the precursor form of beta-NGF, whereas alpha-NGF is an inactive serine proteinase. The structure of 7S NGF could be used as a starting point to design inhibitors that prevent NGF binding to its receptors, as a potential treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

RESULTS

The crystal structure of 7S NGF shows that the two gamma-NGF subunits make extensive interactions with each other around the twofold axis of the complex and have the C-terminal residues of the beta-NGF subunits bound within their active sites. The 'activation domain' of each of the alpha-NGF subunits is in an inactive (zymogen-like) conformation and makes extensive interactions with the beta-NGF dimer. The two zinc ions that stabilize the complex are located at the relatively small interfaces between the alpha-NGF and gamma-NGF subunits.

CONCLUSIONS

The structure of 7S NGF shows how the twofold axis of the central beta-NGF dimer organizes the symmetry of this multisubunit growth factor complex. The extensive surface of beta-NGF buried within the 7S complex explains the lack of neurotrophic activity observed for 7S NGF. The regions of the beta-NGF dimer that contact the alpha-NGF subunits overlap with those known to engage NGF receptors. Two disulphide-linked loops on alpha-NGF make multiple interactions with beta-NGF and suggest that it might be possible to design peptides that inhibit the binding of beta-NGF to its receptors.

Cellular processing of the nerve growth factor precursor by the mammalian pro-protein convertases

In order to define the enzymes responsible for the maturation of the precursor of nerve growth factor (proNGF), its biosynthesis and intracellular processing by the pro-protein convertases furin, PC1, PC2, PACE4, PC5 and the PC5 isoform PC5/6-B were analysed using the vaccinia virus expression system in cells containing a regulated and/or a constitutive secretory pathway. Results demonstrate that in both cell types furin, and to a lesser extent PACE4 and PC5/6-B, are the best candidate proNGF convertases. Furthermore, two processed NGF forms of 16.5 and 13.5 kDa were evident in constitutively secreting cell lines such as LoVo and BSC40 cells, whereas only the 13.5 kDa form was observed in AtT20 cells, which contain secretory granules. Both forms display the same N-terminal sequence as mature NGF, and were also produced following site-directed mutagenesis of the C-terminal Arg-Arg sequence of NGF into Ala-Ala, suggesting that the difference between them is not at the C-terminus. Co-expression of proNGF with furin and either chromogranin B or secretogranin II (but not chromogranin A) in BSC40 cells eliminated the 16.5 kDa form. Data also show that N-glycosylation of the pro-segment of proNGF and trimming of the oligosaccharide chains are necessary for the exit of this precursor from the endoplasmic reticulum and its eventual processing and secretion. Sulphate labelling experiments demonstrated that proNGF is processed into mature NGF following the arrival of the precursor in the trans-Golgi network. This comparative study shows that the three candidate mammalian subtilisin/kexin-like convertases identified process proNGF into NGF and that the nature of the final processed products is dependent on the intracellular environment.

Isolation and characterization of a protein corresponding to mKlk-11 clone from male mouse submandibular gland

A protein corresponding to the predicted genomic sequence of clone mKlk-11 has been characterized from mouse submandibular gland. This protein was purified by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography from the submandibular glands of normal and hypertensive mice. The protein was not detected in the submandibular gland of mice selected for low blood pressure. It consists of three fragments starting at the residues 1, 98, and 141 of the predicted sequence of clone mKlk-11. The cleavage of beta-lactoglobulin (between residues 20 and 21, Tyr-Ser, and 40 and 41, Arg-Val) and a synthetic renin substrate tetradecapeptide (residues 4 and 5, Tyr-Ile) by the protein corresponding to clone mKlk-11 showed both tryptic- and chymotryptic-type cleavages. The possibility of this protein's involvement in the regulation of local blood flow is raised.

Nerve growth factor: structure/function relationships

Nerve growth factor (NGF), which has a tertiary structure based on a cluster of 3 cystine disulfides and 2 very extended, but distorted beta-hairpins, is the prototype of a larger family of neurotrophins. Prior to the availability of cloning techniques, the mouse submandibular gland was the richest source of NGF and provided sufficient material to enable its biochemical characterization. It binds as a dimer to at least 2 cell-surface receptor types expressed in a variety of neuronal and non-neuronal cells. Residues involved in these interactions and in the maintenance of tertiary and quaternary structure have been identified by chemical modification and site-directed mutagenesis, and this information can be related to their location in the 3-dimensional structure. For example, interactions between aromatic residues contribute to the stability of the NGF dimer, and specific surface lysine residues participate in receptor contacts. The conclusion from these studies is that receptor interactions involve broad surface regions, which may be composed of residues from both promoters in the dimer.

Synthetic chimeras of mouse growth factor-associated glandular kallikreins. II. Growth factor binding properties

Six chimeric constructs of the sequentially similar growth factor-associated kallikreins-epidermal growth factor binding protein (EGF-BP) and the gamma-subunit of nerve growth factor (gamma-NGF)--have been expressed, and their ability to generate complexes with epidermal growth factor (EGF) and beta-NGF, analogous to the high molecular weight forms (7S NGF and HMW-EGF) found in the mouse submaxillary gland, evaluated. The chimeras are distinguished by the interchange of three regions composing the amino, middle, and carboxyl terminal regions that encompass four surface loops possibly involved in specific growth factor interactions. Native beta-NGF (along with native alpha-NGF) formed complexes indistinguishable from naturally occurring 7S NGF, characterized by an alpha 2 beta gamma 2 structure (where beta-NGF is itself a dimer), with recombinant (r) gamma-NGF and with a chimera in which the amino terminal region from EGF-BP was substituted. Two other chimeras containing either the middle or carboxyl terminal regions of gamma-NGF showed weaker ability to form 7S complexes. Thus, all chimeras containing two segments from gamma-NGF retained at least some ability to form the 7S complex. rEGF-BP reacted weakly with EGF, but the chimera composed of the amino and middle segments of EGF-BP and the carboxyl terminal segment of gamma-NGF formed a nativelike HMW-EGF complex. None of the other chimeras appeared to bind EGF. These results identify amino acid positions within each kallikrein that participate in strong growth factor interactions and demonstrate that, outside of active site contacts, different regions of the kallikreins are involved in the binding of EGF and beta-NGF, respectively.

Prediction of the three-dimensional structures of the nerve growth factor and epidermal growth factor binding proteins (kallikreins) and an hypothetical structure of the high molecular weight complex of epidermal growth factor with its binding protein

We have predicted the three-dimensional structures of the serine protease subunits (gamma-NGF, alpha-NGF, and EGF-BP) of the high molecular weight complexes of nerve growth factor (7S NGF) and epidermal growth factor (HMW-EGF) from the mouse submandibular gland (from the X-ray crystal structures of two related glandular kallikreins). The conformations of three of the six loops surrounding the active site are relatively well defined in the models of gamma-NGF and EGF-BP, but three other loops are likely to have flexible conformations. Although the amino acid sequence of alpha-NGF is closely related to those of gamma-NGF and EGF-BP, it is catalytically inactive. Model-building studies on alpha-NGF suggested that mutations (in alpha-NGF) just prior to the active site serine (195) and an unusual N-terminal sequence are consistent with alpha-NGF having a zymogen-like conformation (similar to that in chymotrypsinogen). An hypothetical model of the quaternary structure of HMW-EGF has been constructed using this model of EGF-BP and the NMR structure of murine EGF. The C-terminal arm of EGF was modeled into the active site of EGF-BP based on data indicating that the C-terminal arginine of EGF occupies the S1 subsite of EGF-BP. Data suggesting one of the surface loops of EGF-BP is buried in the HMW-EGF complex and symmetry constraints were important in deriving a schematic model. A molecular docking program was used to fit EGF to EGF-BP.

Crystallization and characterization of the high molecular weight form of nerve growth factor (7 S NGF)

A high molecular weight form of nerve growth factor (7 S NGF) has been crystallized in two crystal forms from polyethylene glycol 4000 by the vapour diffusion technique. The orthorhombic form A belongs to the space group P2(1)2(1)2(1) and has cell dimensions of a = 95.6, b = 96.5 and c = 147.0 A. With synchrotron X-ray radiation, these crystals diffract to 2.8 A resolution. They contain an intact 7 S NGF complex in the asymmetric unit. The tetragonal form B, which grows at similar conditions to the A form, belongs to the space group P4(1)2(1)2 (or P4(3)2(1)2) with unit cell dimensions of a = 97.4, b = 97.4 and c = 308.3 A. These crystals diffract to 3.6 A resolution and contain one 7 S complex per asymmetric unit. Native X-ray data have been collected to 3.3 A for the A form and to 5.0 A for the B form, both using synchrotron radiation.

Substrate specificities of growth factor associated kallikreins of the mouse submandibular gland

The kinetic constants for the hydrolysis of a series of tripeptide p-nitroanilide substrates by mouse epidermal growth factor binding protein (EGF-BP), the gamma-subunit of mouse nerve growth factor (gamma-NGF), bovine pancreatic trypsin (BPT), and porcine pancreatic kallikrein (PPK) have been evaluated. These substrates correspond to the carboxyl-terminal three amino acids of the mature forms of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and beta-nerve growth factor (beta-NGF), as well as various substitutions in the penultimate and antepenultimate positions, and, as such, represent potential recognition sites for precursor processing. The mouse kallikreins (EGF-BP and gamma-NGF) preferentially hydrolyze the substrates with the sequences of their specifically associated growth factors; however, the constants derived from these reactions do not account for the association constants observed with the mature growth factors, and additional significant binding interactions between EGF-BP and EGF and between gamma-NGF and beta-NGF are predicted to exist outside of the catalytic binding site, i.e., the P3 to P1 positions. A comparison of the kinetic constants of BPT, PPK, and the mouse kallikreins indicates that EGF-BP and gamma-NGF display a hybrid catalytic character. A favorable substrate P1 arginine guanidinium group interaction exists for the mouse kallikreins, similar to that of BPT, but a preference for a hydrophobic side chain in the substrate P2 position makes the mouse kallikreins, especially EGF-BP, more closely resemble PPK than BPT. These findings have significant implications with regard to molecular modeling of the mouse kallikreins.

Isolation and sequence of a cDNA clone of beta-nerve growth factor from the guinea pig prostate gland

The guinea pig prostate gland contains high levels of nerve growth factor similarly to the mouse submandibular gland. Nerve growth factor from the guinea pig prostate gland cross-reacts weakly with antisera directed against mouse nerve growth factor, is associated with different proteins, and may be processed by a different mechanism. We have isolated a full-length cDNA clone for nerve growth factor from a library prepared from RNA of the guinea pig prostate gland. The guinea pig cDNA contains 1,075 nucleotides and is very similar to the shorter of two predominant nerve growth factor transcripts present in the mouse submandibular gland. The cDNA sequence predicts a precursor protein of 241 amino acids that is 86% identical to the mouse amino acid sequence. Only 10 amino acid changes are present in the C-terminal region corresponding to the mature 118 amino acid beta-nerve growth factor of the mouse. Dibasic amino acid processing sites that are present at the N- and C-termini of the mature protein sequence and two other dibasic amino acid sites, representing potential processing sites within the propeptide, are all conserved, suggesting a similar mechanism of processing.

The bovine pro-carboxypeptidase A-S6 ternary complex: a rare case of a secreted protein complex

Up to now, a non-covalent ternary complex in which the pro-carboxypeptidase A (subunit I) is associated to two functionally different proteins (subunits II and III) has only been found in the pancreas of ruminant species. In the other species studied so far, the pro-carboxypeptidase A is secreted either as a monomer or as a binary association with a functionally different protein. Subunit I is the immediate precursor of carboxypeptidase A. Subunit II is a chymotrypsinogen of the C-type, involved, like subunit I, in the degradation of proteins and peptides. Although closely related to the pancreatic serine endopeptidases, subunit III appears to be devoid of any specific enzymatic activity. Information about the spatial organization of the subunits in the ternary complex has been deduced from the sequential dissociation of the complex. In contrast to the mechanism of activation of subunits I and II, which is independent of their aggregation state, the catalytic properties of the resulting enzymes are sensitive to their aggregation state. Moreover, the structural basis of inactivity of subunit III as well as the physiological role of the ternary complex are also discussed in this review.

Detection of molecules with nerve growth factor binding activity in medium conditioned by L-929 fibroblasts

L-929 fibroblasts (L cells) secrete a high molecular weight form of nerve growth factor (NGF) that is non-covalently bound and contains as part of its structure a molecule similar, if not identical, to beta-NGF in mouse submandibular glands. The other components of the NGF complex have not been characterized. In this study we used radiolabeled beta-NGF as a probe to detect molecules with NGF binding activity in L cell conditioned medium. The L cell NGF complex was dissociated at low pH, or with denaturants or detergents, and allowed to reassociate in the presence of 125I-beta-NGF. Radioactivity became associated with a complex that eluted in a high molecular weight volume on columns of Sephadex G-200 and Sephacryl S-500. Incorporation was saturable and did not occur under non-dissociating conditions. The complex was affinity cross-linked and studied by SDS gel electrophoresis. Radiolabeled molecules were observed with molecular weights of 151,000, 56,000 and 53,000. Labeling did not occur in the presence of excess unlabeled NGF or when cross-linking was done with fetal bovine serum, indicating that binding is specific and that binding activity is not derived from serum added to tissue culture medium. Solutions containing 7S NGF from mouse salivary glands were cross-linked by similar procedures but different banding patterns were observed. The data show that NGF binding molecules dissimilar from those in salivary glands are present in L cell conditioned medium.

Expression of the alpha subunit of 7S nerve growth factor in the mouse submandibular gland

alpha-NGF is an inactive serine protease that is associated in the mouse submandibular gland with a closely related serine protease, gamma-NGF, and the neurotrophic factor, beta-NGF. The heterogeneity of purified alpha-NGF has been examined by DEAE-cellulose chromatography and SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. A possible explanation for the observed heterogeneity is presented. Antibodies have been prepared against alpha-NGF and purified by affinity chromatography so that they do not cross-react with gamma-NGF. This antibody preparation recognizes two very similar proteins in male mouse submandibular gland RNA-directed cell-free translation mixtures. The expression of only one of these forms is regulated by testosterone. Oligonucleotide probes specific for each of the three NGF subunits have been prepared and used for Northern blot analysis of RNA from the mouse submandibular gland. The three subunits were found to be coordinately expressed and each were 30-fold more abundant in male than in female glands.

Role of glandular kallikreins as growth factor processing enzymes: structural and evolutionary considerations

Hormones and growth factors are generally released from larger precursors by limited proteolysis. The causative agents remain poorly defined with respect to location and properties. One subset of proteases, the glandular kallikreins, have been implicated in a few cases, in part because of their specific association with mature forms of some hormones. However, limited distribution and low copy number in some species cast doubt on this hypothesis, and they may well play other physiological functions that remain to be elucidated.

Nerve growth factor biosynthesis: isolation and characterization of a guinea pig prostate kallikrein

Guinea pig prostate contains one major soluble esteropeptidase activity. The protein has been purified and characterized and found to be a glycoprotein comprised of a single polypeptide chain. The molecular has a similar Km for lysine and arginine synthetic substrates, although the Vmax for arginine is much greater than that for lysine. Amino-terminal sequence analysis has also revealed a marked degree of homology to mouse gamma-nerve growth factor (NGF) and the kallikrein family of serine proteases. In contrast to gamma-NGF, however, the guinea pig enzyme does not appear to form stable complexes with beta-NGF.

Temporal changes of neuronotrophic activities accumulating in vivo within nerve regeneration chambers

The presence of neuronotrophic factors (NTFs) in noninjured sciatic nerve extract and the course of their accumulation from 3 h to 30 days after nerve transection was examined. Rat sciatic nerves were transected and their proximal and distal stumps sutured into the openings of cylindrical silicone chambers leaving a 10-mm interstump gap. Previous studies had shown that regeneration occurs in chambers containing both stumps but is absent in chambers lacking the distal stump. Chambers became completely filled with fluid 10 to 12 h after implantation. Fluid from chambers without nerve stumps (open-ended) implanted adjacent to nerve-containing chambers had markedly lower trophic activities than those containing one or both stumps. In fluid collected from chambers containing both proximal and distal nerve stumps, the highest titers of NTFs directed to sensory neurons were measured at 3 h posttransection whereas the highest titers of NTFs directed to sympathetic and spinal cord neurons were detected at 1 and 3 days, respectively. Chambers containing only the proximal or only the distal stumps showed similar temporal dynamics for sensory and sympathetic NTFs. Sensory and sympathetic neuronotrophic activity in extracts of proximal and distal stumps followed a similar temporal course to those in chamber fluid. Extracts of nonlesion nerve segments 5 mm from the transection site contained higher sensory and lower sympathetic trophic activity than extracts including the transection site. Spinal cord activity was undetectable in all extracts. Antiserum to nerve growth factor had no effect on fluid or extracts containing high sensory or sympathetic activities. These observations suggested that (i) some NTFs may be present in normal nerves and others may be synthesized or accumulated in response to nerve injury, (ii) sensory, sympathetic, and spinal cord NTFs are separate agents and immunochemically distinct from nerve growth factor, (iii) NTFs predominantly originate from nerve stumps rather than from surrounding fluid, and (iv) proximal and distal nerve stumps accumulate and release NTFs at similar rates.