Visualization of purified fibronectin-transglutaminase complexes

The Outside-In Journey of Tissue Transglutaminase in Cancer

Tissue transglutaminase (TG2) is a member of the transglutaminase family that catalyzes Ca²⁺-dependent protein crosslinks and hydrolyzes guanosine 5′-triphosphate (GTP). The conformation and functions of TG2 are regulated by Ca²⁺ and GTP levels; the TG2 enzymatically active open conformation is modulated by high Ca²⁺ concentrations, while high intracellular GTP promotes the closed conformation, with inhibition of the TG-ase activity. TG2’s unique characteristics and its ubiquitous distribution in the intracellular compartment, coupled with its secretion in the extracellular matrix, contribute to modulate the functions of the protein. Its aberrant expression has been observed in several cancer types where it was linked to metastatic progression, resistance to chemotherapy, stemness, and worse clinical outcomes. The N-terminal domain of TG2 binds to the 42 kDa gelatin-binding domain of fibronectin with high affinity, facilitating the formation of a complex with β-integrins, essential for cellular adhesion to the matrix. This mechanism allows TG2 to interact with key matrix proteins and to regulate epithelial to mesenchymal transition and stemness. Here, we highlight the current knowledge on TG2 involvement in cancer, focusing on its roles translating extracellular cues into activation of oncogenic programs. Improved understanding of these mechanisms could lead to new therapeutic strategies targeting this multi-functional protein.

Mapping the minimum domain of the fibronectin binding site on transglutaminase 2 (TG2) and its importance in mediating signaling, adhesion, and migration in TG2-expressing cells

The interaction between the enzyme transglutaminase 2 (TG2) and fibronectin (FN) is involved in the cell-matrix interactions that regulate cell signaling, adhesion, and migration and play central roles in pathologic conditions, particularly fibrosis and cancer. A precise definition of the exact interaction domains on both proteins could provide a tool to design novel molecules with potential therapeutic applications. Although specific residues involved in the interaction within TG2 have been analyzed, little is known regarding the TG2 binding site on FN. This site has been mapped to a large internal 45-kDa protein fragment coincident with the gelatin binding domain (GBD). With the goal of defining the minimal FN interacting domain for TG2, we produced several expression constructs encoding different portions or modules of the GBD and tested their binding and functional properties. The results demonstrate that the I₈ module is necessary and sufficient for TG2-binding in vitro, but does not have functional effects on TG2-expressing cells. Modules I₇ and I₉ increase the strength of the binding and are required for cell adhesion. A 15-kDa fragment encompassing modules I_7-9 behaves as the whole 45-kDa GBD and mediates signaling, adhesion, spreading, and migration of TG2⁺ cells. This study provides new insights into the mechanism for TG2 binding to FN.-Soluri, M. F., Boccafoschi, F., Cotella, D., Moro, L., Forestieri, G., Autiero, I., Cavallo, L., Oliva, R., Griffin, M., Wang, Z., Santoro, C., Sblattero, D. Mapping the minimum domain of the fibronectin binding site on transglutaminase 2 (TG2) and its importance in mediating signaling, adhesion, and migration in TG2-expressing cells.

More than a syllable in fib-ROS-is: The role of ROS on the fibrotic extracellular matrix and on cellular contacts

Fibrosis is characterized by excess deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM). However, the ECM changes during fibrosis not only quantitatively but also qualitatively. Thus, the composition is altered as the expression of various ECM proteins changes. Moreover, also posttranslational modifications, secretion, deposition and crosslinkage as well as the proteolytic degradation of ECM components run differently during fibrosis. As several of these processes involve redox reactions and some of them are even redox-regulated, reactive oxygen species (ROS) influence fibrotic diseases. Redox regulation of the ECM has not been studied intensively, although evidences exist that the alteration of the ECM, including the redox-relevant processes of its formation and degradation, may be of key importance not only as a cause but also as a consequence of fibrotic diseases. Myofibroblasts, which have differentiated from fibroblasts during fibrosis, produce most of the ECM components and in return obtain important environmental cues of the ECM, including their redox-dependent fibrotic alterations. Thus, myofibroblast differentiation and fibrotic changes of the ECM are interdependent processes and linked with each other via cell-matrix contacts, which are mediated by integrins and other cell adhesion molecules. These cell-matrix contacts are also regulated by redox processes and by ROS. However, most of the redox-catalyzing enzymes are localized within cells. Little is known about redox-regulating enzymes, especially the ones that control the formation and cleavage of redox-sensitive disulfide bridges within the extracellular space. They are also important players in the redox-regulative crosstalk between ECM and cells during fibrosis.

Transglutaminase 2 strongly binds to an extracellular matrix component other than fibronectin via its second C-terminal beta-barrel domain

Transglutaminase 2 (TG2) is a ubiquitous crosslinking enzyme present in both intra- and extracellular in many cell types and tissues. TG2 is upregulated upon cellular stress or injury, and extracellular TG2 is implicated in several human diseases, including celiac disease. However, incomplete knowledge about extracellular TG2 biology limits our understanding of how TG2 is involved in disease. Here, we demonstrate that binding of TG2 to the ECM of small intestinal tissue sections is the sum of binding to fibronectin (FN) via its N-terminal domain and binding to an abundant, novel extracellular matrix (ECM) interaction partner via its second C-terminal beta-barrel domain. The latter interaction dominates and gives rise to the characteristic reticular staining pattern of extracellular TG2. Of relevance for celiac disease, we show that self-multimerized TG2 does not efficiently deposit in the intestinal ECM, and TG2 complexes may thus become free-floating antigens in tissues in contrast to monomeric TG2 that would readily become sequestered by the ECM. Upon injection of monoclonal antibody targeting the FN-binding site, we observe antibody deposition on extracellular TG2 in cryosections, suggesting that the FN-binding site of TG2 is exposed in vivo. This would explain how and why celiac autoantibodies recognizing the FN-binding site of TG2 can bind TG2 in vitro, in situ as well as in vivo.

Renal cell carcinoma escapes death by p53 depletion through transglutaminase 2-chaperoned autophagy

In renal cell carcinoma, transglutaminase 2 (TGase 2) crosslinks p53 in autophagosomes, resulting in p53 depletion and the tumor's evasion of apoptosis. Inhibition of TGase 2 stabilizes p53 and induces tumor cells to enter apoptosis. This study explored the mechanism of TGase 2-dependent p53 degradation. We found that TGase 2 competes with human double minute 2 homolog (HDM2) for binding to p53; promotes autophagy-dependent p53 degradation in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) cell lines under starvation; and binds to p53 and p62 simultaneously without ubiquitin-dependent recognition of p62. The bound complex does not have crosslinking activity. A binding assay using a series of deletion mutants of p62, p53 and TGase 2 revealed that the PB1 (Phox and Bem1p-1) domain of p62 (residues 85-110) directly interacts with the β-barrel domains of TGase 2 (residues 592-687), whereas the HDM2-binding domain (transactivation domain, residues 15-26) of p53 interacts with the N terminus of TGase 2 (residues 1-139). In addition to the increase in p53 stability due to TGase 2 inhibition, the administration of a DNA-damaging anti-cancer drug such as doxorubicin-induced apoptosis in RCC cell lines and synergistically reduced tumor volume in a xenograft model. Combination therapy with a TGase 2 inhibitor and a DNA-damaging agent may represent an effective therapeutic approach for treating RCC.

Transglutaminase 2 is essential for adherence of Porphyromonas gingivalis to host cells

Porphyromonas gingivalis is the major causative agent of periodontitis, and it may also be involved in the development of systemic diseases (atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis). P. gingivalis is found on and within oral and gingival epithelial cells following binding to surface components of host cells, which serve as receptors for the bacterium. Evidence is presented in this study that shows that transglutaminase 2 (TG2) plays a critical role in the adherence of P. gingivalis to host cells. Studies of confocal microscopy indicate colocalization of P. gingivalis with TG2 on the surface of HEp-2 epithelial cells, with clusters of TG2 seen at bacterial attachment sites. By silencing the expression of TG2 with siRNA in HEp-2 cells, P. gingivalis association was greatly diminished. The bacterium does not bind well to a mouse fibroblast cell line that produces low amounts of surface TG2, but binding can be restored by introduction of TG2 expressed on a plasmid. TG2 can form very tight complexes with fibronectin (FN), and the complementary binding sites of the two proteins are known. A synthetic peptide that mimics the main FN-binding sequence of TG2 blocks the formation of TG2-FN complexes and is highly effective in inhibiting adherence of P. gingivalis to host cells. These findings provide evidence of a role for cell-surface TG2 in bacterial attachment and subsequent internalization.

GPR56 inhibits melanoma growth by internalizing and degrading its ligand TG2

Excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) is a hallmark of tumor microenvironment and plays active roles during tumor progression. How this process is regulated and whether it is reversible for cancer treatment are outstanding questions. The adhesion G protein-coupled receptor GPR56 inhibits melanoma growth and binds to tissue transglutaminase (TG2), a major crosslinking enzyme in ECM. To understand the function of TG2 in GPR56-mediated melanoma inhibition, we performed xenograft studies in immunodeficient Tg2(-/-) mice. Our results revealed an antagonistic relationship between GPR56 and TG2 in melanoma, although TG2 and its crosslinking activity promote melanoma growth, GPR56 antagonizes this effect by internalizing and degrading it. The negative regulation of TG2 by GPR56 associates with the decreased deposition of a major ECM protein, fibronectin, and impaired accumulation of focal adhesion kinase, indicating that the GPR56-TG2 interaction regulates ECM deposition and cell-ECM adhesion. Taken together, our findings establish the roles of TG2 in GPR56-mediated melanoma inhibition. The uncovered antagonistic relationship between GPR56 and TG2 proposes a mechanism by which ECM accumulation/crosslinking in tumors may be reversed, and thus could have therapeutic potential for cancer control and treatment.

Characterization of heparin-binding site of tissue transglutaminase: its importance in cell surface targeting, matrix deposition, and cell signaling

Tissue transglutaminase (TG2) is a multifunctional Ca(2+)-activated protein cross-linking enzyme secreted into the extracellular matrix (ECM), where it is involved in wound healing and scarring, tissue fibrosis, celiac disease, and metastatic cancer. Extracellular TG2 can also facilitate cell adhesion important in wound healing through a nontransamidating mechanism via its association with fibronectin, heparan sulfates (HS), and integrins. Regulating the mechanism how TG2 is translocated into the ECM therefore provides a strategy for modulating these physiological and pathological functions of the enzyme. Here, through molecular modeling and mutagenesis, we have identified the HS-binding site of TG2 (202)KFLKNAGRDCSRRSSPVYVGR(222). We demonstrate the requirement of this binding site for translocation of TG2 into the ECM through a mechanism involving cell surface shedding of HS. By synthesizing a peptide NPKFLKNAGRDCSRRSS corresponding to the HS-binding site within TG2, we also demonstrate how this mimicking peptide can in isolation compensate for the RGD-induced loss of cell adhesion on fibronectin via binding to syndecan-4, leading to activation of PKCα, pFAK-397, and ERK1/2 and the subsequent formation of focal adhesions and actin cytoskeleton organization. A novel regulatory mechanism for TG2 translocation into the extracellular compartment that depends upon TG2 conformation and the binding of HS is proposed.

Reactivity of the N-terminal region of fibronectin protein to transglutaminase 2 and factor XIIIA

Transglutaminase 2 (TG2) is secreted by a non-classical pathway into the extracellular space, where it has several activities pertinent to fibronectin (FN), including binding to the gelatin-binding domain of FN and acting as an integrin co-receptor. Glutamines in the N-terminal tail of FN are known to be susceptible to transamidation by both TG2 and activated blood coagulation factor XIII (FXIIIa). We used immunoblotting, limited proteolysis, and mass spectrometry to localize glutamines within FN that are subject to TG2-catalyzed incorporation of dansylcadaverine in comparison to residues modified by FXIIIa. Such analysis of plasma FN indicated that Gln-3, Gln-7, and Gln-9 in the N-terminal tail and Gln-246 of the linker between fifth and sixth type I modules ((5)F1 and (6)F1) are transamidated by both enzymes. Only minor incorporation of dansylcadaverine was detected elsewhere. Labeling of C-terminally truncated FN constructs revealed efficient TG2- or FXIIIa-catalyzed dansylcadaverine incorporation into the N-terminal residues of constructs as small as the 29-kDa fragment that includes (1-5)F1 and lacks modules from the adjacent gelatin-binding domain. However, when only (1-3)F1 were present, dansylcadaverine incorporation into the N-terminal residues of FN was lost and instead was in the enzymes, near the active site of TG2 and terminal domains of FXIIIa. Thus, these results demonstrate that FXIIIa and TG2 act similarly on glutamines at either end of (1-5)F1 and transamidation specificity of both enzymes is achieved through interactions with the intact 29K fragment.

Recombinant human uteroglobin/CC10 inhibits the adhesion and migration of primary human endothelial cells via specific and saturable binding to fibronectin

Uteroglobin (UG) or Clara Cell 10 kDa protein (CC10) is a small, stable, epithelial secretory anti-inflammatory protein. Uteroglobin has been shown to inhibit neointimal formation in vivo after balloon angioplasty through an unknown mechanism. An interaction between UG and plasma fibronectin (Fn) has been demonstrated in mice. Since Fn plays a key role in endothelial cell (EC) migration and angiogenesis, we investigated whether recombinant human UG (rhUG) affects EC migration via Fn binding. In this report, we show a saturable binding of rhUG to Fn depending on Fn conformation and that rhUG is covalently cross-linked to Fn by transglutaminase (TGase). Additionally, our study highlights that rhUG can also bind to exogenously added or self-secreted Fn on the membrane of human primary microvascular endothelial cells (HMVEC), although these complexes are weakly associated with the plasmalemma. Upon the interaction with Fn in solid phase, rhUG strongly inhibits HMVEC attachment on Fn, but not on other ECM proteins. Consequently, rhUG also inhibits cell migration in a dose dependent fashion (I.C.50 = 65 nM) and hinders the "wound healing" in vitro. The small size, stability and human tolerability of rhUG suggest that rhUG in slow-release form or genetically delivered could be used in humans to modulate cell/Fn interactions in the context of tumor microenvironment or in the context of inflammation and fibrosis.

TGF-beta1 up-regulates transglutaminase two and fibronectin in dermal fibroblasts: a possible mechanism for the stabilization of tissue inflammation

Transglutaminase (TGase) has been reported to stabilize tissue inflammation via the mediation of the polymerization of extracellular matrix proteins. A set of cytokines has been implicated in wound healing processes in the dermis. This study was undertaken in order to evaluate the effects of these cytokines on the expression of TGase 2 in human dermal fibroblasts (hDFs), in that TGase 2 is known to be the principal TGase in the dermis. In Western blot analysis, TGF-beta1 (1 ng/ml) treatment was found to steadily up-regulate TGase 2 expression for up to 7 days. However, such increases were not observed when the cells were treated with IL-1beta, IL-2, and TNF-alpha. In the enzyme assay, total TGase activities were closely related to the levels of TGase 2 expression. TGase 2 mRNA expression was up-regulated as the result of TGF-beta treatment in competitive RT-PCR. In the denatured SDS-PAGE, TGF-beta1 treatment resulted in marked induction of an approximately 220 kDa protein, which was revealed to be a fibronectin (FN) via western immunoblotting with an anti-FN antibody. Next, when the hDFs were treated with TGF-beta1 (1 ng/ml), FN expression was induced beginning at the third day after treatment. The immunoprecipitants generated by anti-FN antibody were positive for the anti-TGase 2 antibody, and the immune complexes were identified at molecular weights of 92 kDa. Collectively, TGF-beta1 stimulates the polymerization of FN via the action of TGase 2, which is supposed to to be an important mechanism in the stabilization of the inflammatory dermis.

Identification of a novel recognition sequence for fibronectin within the NH2-terminal beta-sandwich domain of tissue transglutaminase

Tissue transglutaminase belongs to the multigene transglutaminase family of Ca2+-dependent protein cross-linking enzymes. Unlike other transglutaminases, it is involved in cell-matrix interactions and serves as an adhesion co-receptor for fibronectin. Previous work established that the fibronectin-binding motif(s) is located within the NH2-terminal proteolytic fragment of the protein consisting of residues 1-272. Here we identify a novel fibronectin recognition site within this sequence of tissue transglutaminase. Substitution of individual domains of tissue transglutaminase with those from homologous factor XIIIA showed that the major fibronectin-binding site is present within the first beta-sandwich domain of the protein. Experiments with deletion mutants of the first domain revealed that amino acids 81-140 of tissue transglutaminase are involved in fibronectin binding. Using synthetic peptides encompassing this region, we found that the peptide 88WTATVVDQQDCTLSLQLTT106 inhibited the interaction of tissue transglutaminase with fibronectin and decreased transglutaminase-dependent cell adhesion and spreading. In the three-dimensional structure of the first domain, amino acids 88-106 comprise an extended hairpin formed by antiparallel beta strands 5 and 6. Mutations of Asp94 and Asp97 within the beta5/beta6 hairpin to Ala significantly reduced the affinity of tissue transglutaminase for fibronectin, indicating that these residues are critical for fibronectin binding. Identification of the fibronectin-binding site on tissue transglutaminase will help to dissect the role of this protein in cell-matrix interactions.

Crosslinking and G-protein functions of transglutaminase 2 contribute differentially to fibroblast wound healing responses

Tissue transglutaminase (TG2) affects cell-matrix interactions in cell spreading, migration and extracellular matrix (ECM) reorganisation. Using fibroblasts deficient in TG2 or overexpressing normal or crosslinking-deficient enzyme, we show that the extracellular crosslinking activity and intracellular G-protein function in signal transduction contribute differentially to regulation of cell-matrix interactions. TG2-deficient cells displayed normal attachment but delayed spreading on ECM substrata and defects in motility unrelated to crosslinking. Blocking antibodies to TG2 failed to induce similar defects in normal fibroblasts. TG2-deficient fibroblasts had defects in focal adhesion turnover and stress fibre formation, showed changes in focal adhesion kinase (FAK) phosphorylation and failed to activate protein kinase C alpha (PKCalpha). Phospholipase C (PLC) and PKCalpha inhibitors blocked spreading of normal fibroblasts whilst PKC activators induced spreading in TG2-deficient cells. In contrast, ECM remodelling was not only compromised by TG2 deficiency but also by overexpression of dominant negative enzyme and TG inhibitors. TG2 activity increased matrix tension and was required for membrane type 1-MMP (MT1-MMP)-dependent activation of MMP-2. Our results demonstrate that TG2 is involved in the control of dynamic adhesion formation in cell spreading and migration via regulation of phospholipase C activity. By virtue of its crosslinking activity, the enzyme plays a central role in regulating ECM remodelling.

Staphylococcus aureus fibronectin-binding protein serves as a substrate for coagulation factor XIIIa: evidence for factor XIIIa-catalyzed covalent cross-linking to fibronectin and fibrin

In this study, we have investigated the interactions of a Staphylococcal recombinant fibronectin-binding protein A (rFnbA) with fibronectin, fibrinogen, and fibrin. Using analytical size-exclusion chromatography, we evaluated the stoichiometry of reversible binding of FnbA to fibronectin and demonstrated that, in solution, it can accommodate at least two molecules of fibronectin. Results of ELISA experiments demonstrated that rFnbA binds with equally high affinity to both immobilized fibrinogen and fibrin. When included into a thrombin-induced fibrin polymerization reaction, rFnbA strongly inhibited fibrin assembly in a dose-dependent manner. In this study, we have shown that rFnbA can act as a substrate for coagulation factor XIIIa. Factor XIIIa catalyzes the incorporation of amine donor (dansylacadaverine) and amine acceptor (peptide patterned on the N-terminal sequence of fibronectin) synthetic probes into rFnbA, suggesting that it serves as a bifunctional substrate containing reactive glutamine and lysine residues. We have demonstrated that the reversible complex formed by rFnbA and fibronectin or rFnbA and fibrin is covalently stabilized by the transglutaminase action of factor XIIIa. Incubation of rFnbA in the presence of either of its ligands and factor XIIIa results in the introduction of intermolecular epsilon-(gamma-glutamyl)lysine isopeptide bond(s) and the formation of high molecular mass heteropolymers. These findings suggest a novel mechanism by which pathogenic Staphylococcus aureus may utilize the transglutaminase activity of factor XIIIa for attachment to soluble proteins, cell surfaces, and matrixes.

A novel RGD-independent cel adhesion pathway mediated by fibronectin-bound tissue transglutaminase rescues cells from anoikis

Specific association of tissue transglutaminase (tTG) with matrix fibronectin (FN) results in the formation of an extracellular complex (tTG-FN) with distinct adhesive and pro-survival characteristics. tTG-FN supports RGD-independent cell adhesion of different cell types and the formation of distinctive RhoA-dependent focal adhesions following inhibition of integrin function by competitive RGD peptides and function blocking anti-integrin antibodies alpha5beta1. Association of tTG with its binding site on the 70-kDa amino-terminal FN fragment does not support this cell adhesion process, which seems to involve the entire FN molecule. RGD-independent cell adhesion to tTG-FN does not require transamidating activity, is mediated by the binding of tTG to cell-surface heparan sulfate chains, is dependent on the function of protein kinase Calpha, and leads to activation of the cell survival focal adhesion kinase. The tTG-FN complex can maintain cell viability of tTG-null mouse dermal fibroblasts when apoptosis is induced by inhibition of RGD-dependent adhesion (anoikis), suggesting an extracellular survival role for tTG. We propose a novel RGD-independent cell adhesion mechanism that promotes cell survival when the anti-apoptotic role mediated by RGD-dependent integrin function is reduced as in tissue injury, which is consistent with the externalization and binding of tTG to fibronectin following cell damage/stress.

Transglutaminases: crosslinking enzymes with pleiotropic functions

Blood coagulation, skin-barrier formation, hardening of the fertilization envelope, extracellular-matrix assembly and other important biological processes are dependent on the rapid generation of covalent crosslinks between proteins. These reactions--which are catalysed by transglutaminases--endow the resulting supramolecular structure with extra rigidity and resistance against proteolytic degradation. Some transglutaminases function as molecular switches in cytoskeletal scaffolding and modulate protein-protein interactions. Having knowledge of these enzymes is essential for understanding the aetiologies of diverse hereditary diseases of the blood and skin, and various autoimmune, inflammatory and degenerative conditions.

Conserved tryptophan in the core domain of transglutaminase is essential for catalytic activity

Transglutaminase 2 (TG2) is a distinctive member of the family of Ca2+-dependent enzymes recognized mostly by their abilities to catalyze the posttranslational crosslinking of proteins. TG2 uniquely binds and hydrolyzes GTP; binding GTP inhibits its crosslinking activity but allows it to function in signal transduction (hence the G(h) designation). The core domain of TG2 (residues 139-471, rat) comprises the papain-like catalytic triad and the GTP-binding domain (residues 159-173) and contains almost all of the conserved tryptophans of the protein. Examining point mutations at Trp positions 180, 241, 278, 332, and 337 showed that, upon binding 2'-(or 3')-O-(N-methylanthraniloyl)GTP (mantGTP), the Phe-332 mutant was the weakest (35% less than wild type) in resonance energy transfer from the protein (lambda(exc, max) = 290 nm) to the mant fluorophore (lambda(em) = 444 nm) and had a reduced affinity for mantGTP. Trp-332, situated near the catalytic center and the nucleotide-binding area of TG2, may be part of the allosteric relay machinery that transmits negative effector signals from nucleotide binding to the active center of TG2. A most important observation was that, whereas no enzyme activity could be detected when Trp-241 was replaced with Ala or Gln, partial preservation of catalytic activity was seen with substitutions by Tyr > Phe > His. The results indicate that Trp-241 is essential for catalysis, possibly by stabilizing the transition states by H-bonding, quadrupole-ion, or van der Waals interactions. This contrasts with the evolutionarily related papain family of cysteine proteases, which uses Gln-19 (papain) for stabilizing the transition state.

Involvement of tissue transglutaminase in the stabilisation of biomaterial/tissue interfaces important in medical devices

Tissue transglutaminase (tTG) has recently been established as a novel cell surface adhesion protein that binds with high affinity to fibronectin in the pericellular matrix. In this study, we have made use of this property to enhance the biocompatibility of poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL), a biomaterial currently used in bone repair. Poly(epsilon-caprolactone) discs were first coated with fibronectin and then tTG. The surface localisation of the two proteins was confirmed using ELISA and the tTG shown to be active on the surface by incorporation of biotin cadaverine into the fibronectin coating. When human osteoblasts (HOBs) were seeded onto the coated polymer surfaces in serum free medium, the surface coated with fibronectin and then tTG showed an increase in the spreading of the cells as compared to the surface coated with fibronectin alone, when analysed using environmental scanning electron microscopy. The presence of tTG had no effect on HOB cell differentiation when analysed by determining alkaline phosphatase activity. The use of tTG as a novel adhesion protein in this way may therefore have considerable potential in forming a stable tissue/biomaterial interface for application in medical devices.

Protein crosslinking in assembly and remodelling of extracellular matrices: the role of transglutaminases

Transglutaminases form a family of proteins that have evolved for specialized functions such as protein crosslinking in haemostasis, semen coagulation, or keratinocyte cornified envelope formation. In contrast to the other members of this protein family, tissue transglutaminase is a multifunctional enzyme apparently involved in very disparate biological processes. By virtue of its reciprocal Ca2+-dependent crosslinking activity or GTP-dependent signal transducing activity, tissue transglutaminase exhibits true multifunctionality at the molecular level. The crosslinking activity can subserve disparate biological phenomena depending on the location of the target proteins. Intracellular activation of tissue transglutaminase can give rise to crosslinked protein envelopes in apoptotic cells, whereas extracellular activation contributes to stabilization of the extracellular matrix and promotes cell-substrate interaction. While tissue transglutaminase synthesis and activation is normally part of a protective cellular response contributing to tissue homeostasis, the enzyme has also been implicated in a number of pathological conditions including fibrosis, atherosclerosis, neurodegenerative diseases, celiac disease, and cancer metastasis. This review discusses the role of transglutaminases in extracellular matrix crosslinking with a focus on the multifunctional enzyme tissue transglutaminase.

Cell surface localization of tissue transglutaminase is dependent on a fibronectin-binding site in its N-terminal beta-sandwich domain

Increasing evidence indicates that tissue transglutaminase (tTG) plays a role in the assembly and remodeling of extracellular matrices and promotes cell adhesion. Using an inducible system we have previously shown that tTG associates with the extracellular matrix deposited by stably transfected 3T3 fibroblasts overexpressing the enzyme. We now show by confocal microscopy that tTG colocalizes with pericellular fibronectin in these cells, and by immunogold electron microscopy that the two proteins are found in clusters at the cell surface. Expression vectors encoding the full-length tTG or a N-terminal truncated tTG lacking the proposed fibronectin-binding site (fused to the bacterial reporter enzyme beta-galactosidase) were generated to characterize the role of fibronectin in sequestration of tTG in the pericellular matrix. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay style procedures using extracts of transiently transfected COS-7 cells and immobilized fibronectin showed that the truncation abolished fibronectin binding. Similarly, the association of tTG with the pericellular matrix of cells in suspension or with the extracellular matrix deposited by cell monolayers was prevented by the truncation. These results demonstrate that tTG binds to the pericellular fibronectin coat of cells via its N-terminal beta-sandwich domain and that this interaction is crucial for cell surface association of tTG.

Protein cross-linking mediated by tissue transglutaminase correlates with the maturation of extracellular matrices during lung development

At birth, the mammalian lung is still immature. The alveoli are not yet formed and the interairspace walls contain two capillary layers which are separated by an interstitial core. After alveolarization (first 2 postnatal weeks in rats) the alveolar septa mature: their capillary layers merge, the amount of connective tissue decreases, and the mature lung parenchyma is formed (second and third week). During the first 3 wk of life the role of tissue transglutaminase (tTG) was studied in rat lung by immunostaining of cryostat and paraffin sections, by Northern and Western blotting, and by a quantitative determination of gamma-glutamyl-epsilon-lysine. While enzyme activity and intracellular tTG were already present before term, the enzyme product (gamma-glutamyl-epsilon-lysine-crosslink) and extracellular tTG appeared between postnatal days 10 and 19 in the lung parenchyma. In large blood vessels and large airways, which mature earlier than the parenchyma, both the enzyme product and extracellular tTG had already appeared at the end of the first postnatal week. We conclude that tTG is expressed and externalized into the extracellular matrix of lung shortly before maturation of an organ area. Because tTG covalently and irreversibly crosslinks extracellular matrix proteins, we hypothesize that it may prevent or delay further remodeling of basement membranes and may stabilize other extracellular components, such as microfibrils.

Immunochemical analyses of human plasma fibronectin-cytosolic transglutaminase interactions

Fibronectin is a glycoprotein involved in cell adhesion, tissue organization and wound healing. Transglutaminase binding and covalent cross-linking of fibronectin are physiologically important reactions. We describe microtiter plate-based immunochemical methods to analyze cytosolic transglutaminase-human plasma fibronectin interactions. The method was sensitive, specific, species-independent and capable of simultaneously analyzing 96 samples for binding. Binding was time-, temperature- and concentration-dependent and demonstrable with either protein immobilized to the plastic. The assay detected 1-5 ng transglutaminase or 50 pg fibronectin and was comparable in sensitivity to enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. CaCl2 (8 mM) enhanced transglutaminase binding by two-fold. Molar concentrations of NaCl or millimolar concentrations of chloride salts of barium, copper or zinc inhibited binding by 50-60%. The binding was also competitively blocked by soluble fibronectin (IC50 = 2.3 nM) or by anti-fibronectin IgG (IC50 = 0.5 microM). Inclusion of dithiothreitol or 2-mercaptoethanol during binding resulted in a concentration-dependent inhibition of transglutaminase-fibronectin interactions (IC50 = 1.5 mM and 20 mM, respectively). A complex of [anti-transglutaminase IgG-transglutaminase-fibronectin-anti- fibronectin IgG] suggested that the binding sites and antibody epitopes could overlap, but are distinct and surface-exposed in the two proteins. Liver transglutaminase bound fibronectin 30-50% less compared to erythrocyte transglutaminase. Fibronectin-transglutaminase affinity was adequate for quantitating either antigen in lysates of lung fibroblasts, breast carcinomas or Escherichia coli. These immunochemical analyses will be useful for determining the affinity and mapping the domains involved in antibody recognition or protein-protein interactions using recombinant molecules of transglutaminase and fibronectin.

The fibronectin-binding domain of transglutaminase

Guinea pig liver transglutaminase (EC 2.3.2.13) displays a Ca(2+)-independent binding (Ka = 10(7) M-1) to the same gelatin-binding domain of human plasma fibronectin that is known to form a very tight complex with the human red cell enzyme. The fibronectin-combining site of the liver transglutaminase was investigated by testing fragments obtained from the parent protein by controlled digestion with endoproteinase Lys-C. Overlay assays, probed with anti-fibronectin antibody, revealed that the fibronectin binding ability of the transglutaminase was encoded in a linear sequence in its 28-kDa N-terminal domain. Removal of the first 7 residues by further digestion of the purified 28-kDa material with endoproteinase Glu-C generated a 27-kDa fragment that, however, showed no binding activity. Thus, residues 1-7 in the liver enzyme seem to be of particular importance for influencing its ability to bind to fibronectin.