Proteolytic processing of the alpha-subunit of rat endopeptidase-24.18 by furin

Meprin A metalloproteinase and its role in acute kidney injury

Meprin A, composed of α- and β-subunits, is a membrane-associated neutral metalloendoprotease that belongs to the astacin family of zinc endopeptidases. It was first discovered as an azocasein and benzoyl-l-tyrosyl-p-aminobenzoic acid hydrolase in the brush-border membranes of proximal tubules and intestines. Meprin isoforms are now found to be widely distributed in various organs (kidney, intestines, leukocytes, skin, bladder, and a variety of cancer cells) and are capable of hydrolyzing and processing a large number of substrates, including extracellular matrix proteins, cytokines, adherens junction proteins, hormones, bioactive peptides, and cell surface proteins. The ability of meprin A to cleave various substrates sheds new light on the functional properties of this enzyme, including matrix remodeling, inflammation, and cell-cell and cell-matrix processes. Following ischemia-reperfusion (IR)- and cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury (AKI), meprin A is redistributed toward the basolateral plasma membrane, and the cleaved form of meprin A is excreted in the urine. These studies suggest that altered localization and shedding of meprin A in places other than the apical membranes may be deleterious in vivo in acute tubular injury. These studies also provide new insight into the importance of a sheddase involved in the release of membrane-associated meprin A under pathological conditions. Meprin A is injurious to the kidney during AKI, as meprin A-knockout mice and meprin inhibition provide protective roles and improve renal function. Meprin A, therefore, plays an important role in AKI and potentially is a unique target for therapeutic intervention during AKI.

Sorting of furin in polarized epithelial and endothelial cells: expression beyond the Golgi apparatus

The conversion of proteins into their mature forms underlies the functionality of many fundamental cellular pathways. One posttranslational modification leading to maturation of precursor proteins consists of the cleavage of their prodomain at pairs of basic amino acids by enzymes of the subtilisin-like mammalian proprotein convertase family. One of these enzymes, furin, acts in the constitutive secretory pathway of almost every cell type. However, in spite of furin's major roles in many pathophysiological processes, the exact subcellular sites of processing and activation of its substrates remain elusive. In this study, furin antigenic sites were tracked in subcellular compartments of various tissues and corresponding cell lines by high-resolution immunogold electron microscopy, Western blotting, cell transfection, and in vivo gene delivery of the furin cDNA. In addition to the Golgi apparatus, furin was assigned to endosomes and plasma membranes of polarized intestinal and renal epithelial cells and endothelial cells of the continuous, fenestrated, and discontinuous capillaries. Roles of furin in endothelial permeability, basement membrane turnover, and shedding of transmembrane proteins are supported by our data.

Endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation: exceptions to the rule

Quality control mechanisms in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) ensure that misfolded proteins are recognized and targeted for degradation. According to the current view of ER-associated degradation (ERAD), the degradation does not occur in the ER itself but requires the retrotranslocation of the proteins to the cytosol where they are degraded by proteasomes. Although this model appears to be valid for many different proteins a number of exceptions from this rule suggest that additional proteasome-independent ERAD pathways may exist. In this review, we will summarize what is known about these alternative ERAD pathways.

Molecular cloning and biochemical characterization of a new mouse testis soluble-zinc-metallopeptidase of the neprilysin family

Because of their roles in controlling the activity of several bio-active peptides, members of the neprilysin family of zinc metallopeptidases have been identified as putative targets for the design of therapeutic agents. Presently, six members have been reported, these are: neprilysin, endothelin-converting enzyme (ECE)-1 and ECE-2, the Kell blood group protein, PHEX (product of the phosphate-regulating gene with homologies to endopeptidase on the X chromosome) and X-converting enzyme (XCE). In order to identify new members of this important family of peptidases, we designed a reverse transcriptase-PCR strategy based on conserved amino acid sequences of neprilysin, ECE-1 and PHEX. We now report the cloning from mouse testis of a novel neprilysin-like peptidase that we called NL1. NL1 is a glycoprotein that, among the members of the family, shows the strongest sequence identity with neprilysin. However, in contrast with neprilysin and other members of the family which are type II integral membrane proteins, NL1 was secreted when expressed in cultured mammalian cells, likely due to cleavage by a subtilisin-like convertase at a furin-like site located 22 amino acid residues in the C-terminus of the transmembrane domain. The recombinant enzyme exhibited neprilysin-like peptidase activity and was efficiently inhibited by phosphoramidon and thiorphan, two inhibitors of neprilysin. Northern blot analysis and in situ hybridization showed that NL1 mRNA was found predominantly in testis, specifically in round and elongated spermatids. This distribution of NL1 mRNA suggests that it could be involved in sperm formation or other processes related to fertility.

Adamalysins. A family of metzincins including TNF-alpha converting enzyme (TACE)

The adamalysins are a family of proteins in the metzincin superfamily of metalloproteases, which also includes the matrix metalloproteinases. There are two subfamilies of adamalysins: the snake venom metalloproteases (SVMPs) and the ADAMs (proteins containing a disintegrin and metalloprotease domain). At least 23 ADAMs have been identified to date. The ADAMs are expressed by a wide variety of cell types, and are involved in functions as diverse as sperm-egg binding, myotube formation, neurogenesis, and proteolytic processing of cell surface proteins. An overview of the ADAM family and their functions will be presented. TACE is a unique member of the ADAM family that cleaves membrane-bound TNF-alpha to generate soluble TNF-alpha. Mice lacking proteolytically active TACE have been generated and characterized. The TACE knock-out results in perinatal lethality. Cells from the TACE-deficient mice release 80-90% less soluble TNF-alpha than do wild-type cells. Irradiated mice that are reconstituted with TACE knock-out hematopoeitic stem cells have markedly reduced levels of serum TNF-alpha following LPS challenge, compared to irradiated mice reconstituted with wild-type cells, suggesting that TACE is the major TNF-alpha converting enzyme in vivo. TACE-deficient cells are compromised in the generation of other soluble proteins that are produced as the result of cleavage of a membrane precursor form, suggesting that TACE is involved in multiple shedding events.

N-Benzoyl-L-tyrosyl-p-aminobenzoic acid hydrolase beta (human meprinbeta). A 13-amino-acid sequence is required for proteolyticprocessing and subsequent secretion

N-Benzoyl-L-tyrosyl-p-aminobenzoic acid hydrolase or human meprin (PPH) is a brush-border membrane enzyme of small intestinal epithelial cells. It is a type I integral membrane protein composed of two disulphide-bridged subunits (alpha and beta). PPH and its homologous counterparts in rodents belong to the astacin family of zinc-metalloendopeptidases. Although the amino-acid sequence of the beta subunits is 80-90% identical in these three species, processing is different. Expression of PPHbeta in simian virus 40-transformed African green monkey kidney cells (COS-1) and Madin Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells results in its cell surface localization and secretion, whereas mouse meprinbeta is only found at the plasma membrane. To investigate proteolytic processing of PPHbeta and to identify the cleavage site, different C-terminal domains of wild-type PPHbeta were exchanged with the homologous domains of mouse meprinbeta. We identified a 13-amino-acid sequence (QIQLTPAPSVQDL) necessary for cleavage and subsequent secretion of PPHbeta. Using brefeldin A, the site of processing was identified as being after passage through the Golgi compartment. Proteolytic processing of PPHbeta thus provides a means for secretion of alphabeta heterodimers.

The carboxyl-terminal tail of kinase splitting membranal proteinase/meprin beta is involved in its intracellular trafficking

The kinase splitting membranal proteinase (KSMP), was recently shown to be identical with the beta-subunit of meprin. Meprin is a metalloendoproteinase located in brush border membranes and composed of the two types of subunits, alpha and beta. Despite their high sequence homology and similar domain organization, meprin subunits are differently processed during maturation; meprin alpha is retained in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), and undergoes a proteolytic removal of the transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains, prior to its export from this organelle. In contrast, meprin beta retains these domains even after reaching its final destination in the plasma membrane. Using truncated mutants of rat meprin beta expressed in Cos-7 and human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells, we show here that the cytoplasmic tail is indispensable for its exit from the ER. A meprin beta mutant lacking the last 25 amino acids is shown to be transport-incompetent, although it does not contain any of the known ER retention signals. Systematic analysis of the rate of the ER to Golgi transport using a series of mutants with Ala or Pro substitutions in the tail, suggests that while no specific amino acid residue by itself is imperative for normal intracellular trafficking of meprin beta, the insertion of a bend at a distinct position in the tail (specifically by a Y685P mutation) suffices to retain this protein in the ER. We propose that the very length of the cytoplasmic tail, as well as its secondary structure are essential for the ER to Golgi transport of meprin beta, possibly by allowing an interaction with a cargo receptor.

Human ADAM 12 (meltrin alpha) is an active metalloprotease

The ADAMs (a disintegrin and metalloprotease) are a family of multidomain proteins with structural homology to snake venom metalloproteases. We recently described the cloning and sequencing of human ADAM 12 (meltrin alpha). In this report we provide evidence that the metalloprotease domain of ADAM 12 is catalytically active. We used the trapping mechanism of alpha2-macroglobulin to assay for protease activity of wild-type and mutant ADAM 12 proteins produced in a COS cell transfection system. We found that ADAM 12 is synthesized as a zymogen, with the prodomain maintaining the metalloprotease in a latent form, probably by means of a cysteine switch. The zymogen could be activated chemically by alkylation with N-ethylmaleimide. Cleavage of the prodomain at a site for a furin-like endopeptidase resulted in an ADAM 12 protein with proteolytic activity. The protease activity was sensitive to inhibition by 1,10-phenanthroline and could be eliminated by mutation of the critical glutamate residue at the active site. The demonstration that the ADAM 12 metalloprotease domain is functional may have important implications for future studies that explore the role of ADAM 12 protein in development and disease.

Biosynthesis of endotubin: an apical early endosomal glycoprotein from developing rat intestinal epithelial cells

Endosomes are the site of sorting of internalized receptors and ligands in all cell types and, in polarized cells, the apical endosomal compartment is involved in the selective transepithelial transport of immunoglobulins and growth factors. The biochemical composition of this specialized compartment remains largely unresolved. We have characterized a glycoprotein, called endotubin, that is located in the apical endosomal tubules of developing rat intestinal epithelial cells. A monoclonal antibody against endotubin recognizes a broad band of 55-60kDa, which upon isoelectric focusing can be resolved into two bands, and a faint band of 140kDa. Metabolic labelling followed by immunoprecipitation indicates that endotubin is synthesized as a 140kDa precursor that is cleaved to the 55-60kDa forms. High pH washing of endosomal membranes removes the 55-60kDa forms from the membrane, whereas the high-molecular-mass form remains membrane associated and appears to be an integral membrane protein. Immunoblotting with a polyclonal antibody against the putative cytoplasmic tail of the protein identifies a 140kDa band and a band of 74kDa, presumably the cleavage product. Immunoprecipitation with antibodies against the 55-60kDa form results in coprecipitation of a 74kDa protein, and immunoprecipitation with antibody against the 74kDa protein results in coprecipitation of the 55-60kDa form. Epitope mapping of the monoclonal antibody binding site supports a proposed type I membrane protein orientation. We propose that endotubin is proteolytically processed into a heterodimer with the 55-60kDa fragment remaining membrane-associated through a non-covalent association with the membrane-bound 74kDa portion of the molecule.

Maturation of secreted meprin alpha during biosynthesis: role of the furin site and identification of the COOH-terminal amino acids of the mouse kidney metalloprotease subunit

The alpha subunit of meprin A is synthesized as a type I integral membrane protein; however, the mature form contains no membrane-spanning region due to COOH-terminal proteolytic cleavage during biosynthesis. Previous studies with transfected mouse meprin alpha subunit cDNA, showed that the inserted (I) domain in the COOH-terminus was essential for proteolytic processing and transport of the subunit out of the endoplasmic reticulum. A furin site in the I domain was implicated as the site of cleavage in the rat meprin alpha subunit, however, this site was shown not to be required in the homologous mouse subunit. The present studies were designed to determine whether there is a species difference in the use of the furin site for processing of the subunit, and whether the different mutations used in the previous studies could account for the different conclusions regarding the importance of the furin site. When the furin sites in mouse and rat cDNAs were mutated, using similar amino acid substitutions, and expressed in human 293 cells, all mutants were secreted, and had comparable activities compared to the wild-types against a protein (azocasein) and peptide (bradykinin analog) substrate. These data revealed no difference between processing of the rat and mouse subunits, and indicated that the furin site is not essential for COOH-terminal processing in either species. Additional transfection investigations with brefeldin A or low temperature confirmed that COOH-terminal processing occurs in the endoplasmic reticulum, further supporting the contention that furin-type enzymes localized to the Golgi apparatus are not responsible for processing this subunit. COOH-terminal amino acid sequence analysis of the mature detergent-purified membrane form of meprin alpha from ICR mouse kidney indicated that the subunit ends at Arg615, which is NH2-terminal to the I domain in the After-MATH domain. Mutation of Arg615 to an Ala did not affect secretion of the protein from 293 cells. The results indicate that the I domain enables or directs the final COOH-terminal processing of meprin alpha to a region NH2-terminal to the I domain, and that there are no essential dibasic, furin, or single base processing sites.

Furin: a mammalian subtilisin/Kex2p-like endoprotease involved in processing of a wide variety of precursor proteins

Limited endoproteolysis of inactive precursor proteins at sites marked by paired or multiple basic amino acids is a widespread process by which biologically active peptides and proteins are produced within the secretory pathway in eukaryotic cells. The identification of a novel family of endoproteases homologous with bacterial subtilisins and yeast Kex2p has accelerated progress in understanding the complex mechanisms underlying the production of the bioactive materials. Seven distinct proprotein convertases of this family (furin, PC2, PC1/PC3, PC4, PACE4, PC5/PC6, LPC/PC7/PC8/SPC7) have been identified in mammalian species, some having isoforms generated via alternative splicing. The family has been shown to be responsible for conversion of precursors of peptide hormones, neuropeptides, and many other proteins into their biologically active forms. Furin, the first proprotein convertase to be identified, has been most extensively studied. It has been shown to be expressed in all tissues and cell lines examined and to be mainly localized in the trans-Golgi network, although some proportion of the furin molecules cycle between this compartment and the cell surface. This endoprotease is capable of cleaving precursors of a wide variety of proteins, including growth factors, serum proteins, including proteases of the blood-clotting and complement systems, matrix metalloproteinases, receptors, viral-envelope glycoproteins and bacterial exotoxins, typically at sites marked by the consensus Arg-Xaa-(Lys/Arg)-Arg sequence. The present review covers the structure and function of mammalian subtilisin/Kex2p-like proprotein convertases, focusing on furin (EC 3.4.21.85).

Polarised expression of human intestinal N-benzoyl-L-tyrosyl-p-aminobenzoic acid hydrolase (human meprin) alpha and beta subunits in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells

N-Benzoyl-L-tyrosyl-p-aminobenzoic acid hydrolase (PPH, human meprin), is a peptidase found in the microvillus membrane of human small intestinal epithelial cells. PPH belongs to the astacin family of zinc-metalloendopeptidases and is a protein complex composed of two glycosylated subunits, alpha and beta. The present report describes the cloning of the complete beta subunit and the remaining N2-terminal end of the alpha subunit for analysis of their primary structures in addition to the examination of their biogenesis in transfected cell cultures. The complete open reading frame of the PPH beta cDNA translates into 700 amino acid residues compared with 746 residues for the PPH alpha cDNA. The primary structure of beta and alpha subunits are 44% identical and 61% similar. As predicted from their primary structure, the two subunits of PPH have identical modular structures; starting at the N2-terminus both contain a signal peptide, a propeptide, a protease domain containing the astacin signature, a meprin A5 protein tyrosine phospatase mu (MAM) and a meprin and TRAF homology domain (MATH) domain, an epidermal growth factor(EGF)-like domain, a putative transmembrane anchor domain and a short cytosolic tail. Pulse/chase labelling and immuno-Gold electronmicroscopy of recombinant PPH beta and alpha subunits expressed in transfected Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells show that post-translational processing and transport of the two subunits are very different. When expressed alone, the beta subunit acquired complex glycan residues, readily formed homodimers and was transported to the plasma membrane. Small amounts of PPH beta were found in the culture medium. In contrast, the cell-bound alpha subunit, when expressed alone, remained primarily in the high-mannose form, was aggregated and not expressed at the cell surface. However, the bulk of mostly endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase H-resistant alpha subunit was found in the filtered culture medium. The proteolytic event that leads to the formation of this soluble transport-competent form occurs in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Coexpression of the alpha subunit with the beta subunit allowed the localisation of the alpha subunit to the plasma membrane. These studies indicate that assembly of the two subunits of PPH is required for the localisation of the alpha subunit to the plasma membrane. In contrast to rodent meprin, both PPH subunits are apically secreted from MDCK cells.

C-cytosolic and transmembrane domains of the N-benzoyl-L-tyrosyl-p-aminobenzoic acid hydrolase alpha subunit (human meprin alpha) are essential for its retention in the endoplasmic reticulum and C-terminal processing

N-benzoyl-L-tyrosyl-p-aminobenzoic acid hydrolase (PPH, human meprin) is a member of the astacin family of Zn-metalloendopeptidases and is highly expressed in the microvillus membrane of human small intestinal epithelial cells. It is a type I transmembrane protein consisting of differentially processed glycosylated alpha and beta subunits. Biosynthesis experiments using transfected, metabolically labelled simian virus 40 (SV40) transformed african green monkey kidney cells (COS-1) and Madin Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells, have previously shown that PPH alpha was retained in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and that for subsequent secretion removal of the alpha-tail was necessary [Grünberg, J., Dumermuth, E., Eldering, J. A. & Sterchi, E. E. (1993) FEBS Lett. 335, 376-379]. We proposed an involvement of the alpha-tail in ER retention. To investigate the possible role of the transmembrane and/or the C-terminal domain of the alpha-subunit, tailswitch mutants were constructed in which these domains were exchanged between the alpha and beta subunits. Biosynthesis and post-translational processing of these mutants were investigated in transiently transfected COS-1 cells. The beta/alpha tailswitch mutant, in which the transmembrane and C-cytosolic parts of PPH beta were substituted by the corresponding parts of the PPH alpha subunit, was transported much slower compared with the wild-type PPH beta subunit. In addition, fusion of the alpha-tail to a C-terminally truncated secretory form of PPH alpha leads to its retention in the ER. This mutant, but not the secretory form, coimmunoprecipitated with calnexin, indicating an involvement of this molecular chaperone in retaining PPH alpha in the ER. The alpha/beta tailswitch mutant, in which the transmembrane domain and the C-cytosolic part of PPH alpha were substituted by the corresponding parts of PPH beta, was processed less efficiently in comparison with PPH alpha, resulting in a lower secretion rate. Taken together these data suggest a role of the alpha-tail in mediating association with ER-resident machinery, facilitating C-terminal processing.

cDNA cloning and expression of bovine procollagen I N-proteinase: a new member of the superfamily of zinc-metalloproteinases with binding sites for cells and other matrix components

Procollagen N-proteinase (EC 3.4.24.14) cleaves the amino-propeptides in the processing of type I and type II procollagens to collagens. Deficiencies of the enzyme cause dermatosparaxis in cattle and sheep, and they cause type VIIC Ehlers-Danlos syndrome in humans, heritable disorders characterized by accumulation of pNcollagen and severe skin fragility. Amino acid sequences for the N-proteinase were used to obtain cDNAs from bovine skin. Three overlapping cDNAs had an ORF coding for a protein of 1205 residues. Mammalian cells stably transfected with a complete cDNA secreted an active recombinant enzyme that specifically cleaved type I procollagen. The protein contained zinc-binding sequences of the clan MB of metallopeptidases that includes procollagen C-proteinase/BMP-1. The protein also contained four repeats that are homologous to domains found in thrombospondins and in properdin and that can participate in complex intermolecular interactions such as activation of latent forms of transforming growth factor beta or the binding to sulfatides. Therefore, the enzyme may play a role in development that is independent of its role in collagen biosynthesis. This hypothesis was supported by the observation that in some tissues the levels of mRNA for the enzyme are disproportionately high relative to the apparent rate of collagen biosynthesis.

PACE4: a subtilisin-like endoprotease with unique properties

PACE4 is one of the neuroendocrine-specific mammalian subtilisin-related endoproteases believed to function in the secretory pathway. The biosynthesis and secretion of PACE4 have been studied using transfected neuroendocrine and fibroblast cell lines. as well as primary pituitary cultures. ProPACE4 (approx. 106 kDa) is cleaved intracellularly before secretion of PACE4 (approx. 97 kDa); the N-terminal propeptide cleavage is accelerated in a truncated form of PACE4 lacking the Cys-rich C-terminal region (PACE4s). Neither PACE4 nor PACE4s is stored in regulated neuroendocrine secretory granules, whereas pro-opiomelanocortin-derived peptides and prohormone convertase I enter the regulated secretory pathway efficiently. The relatively slow cleavage of the proregion of proPACE4 in primary anterior pituitary cells, followed by rapid secretion of PACE4, is similar to the results for proPACE4 in transfected cell lines. The enzyme activity of PACE4 is distinct from furin and prohormone convertases, both in the marked sensitivity of PACE4 to inhibition by leupeptin and the relative insensitivity of PACE4 to inhibition by Ca2+ chelators and dithiothreitol; PACE4 is not inhibited by the alpha1-antitrypsin Portland variant that is very potent at inhibiting furin. The unique biosynthetic and enzymic patterns seen for PACE4 suggest a role for this neuroendocrine-specific subtilisin-like endoprotease outside the pathway for peptide biosynthesis.

Membrane type matrix metalloproteinase 1 activates pro-gelatinase A without furin cleavage of the N-terminal domain

Membrane type matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MT-MMP1), a novel 63-kDa member of the matrix metalloproteinase family, is a membrane-anchored enzyme and an activator for gelatinase A. In addition to its C-terminal hydrophobic transmembrane domain, MT-MMP1 has an insertion of 11 amino acids between its propeptide and catalytic domain encrypted with a RRKR recognition motif for the paired basic amino acid cleaving enzyme, furin. In this report, we investigated whether the cleavage of the RRKR motif of MT-MMP1 by Golgi-associated furin is analogous to a similar enzyme activation mechanism observed with stromelysin-3. Mutant forms of MT-MMP1 were cotransfected into COS-1 cells with cDNAs for pro-gelatinase A and/or furin. Immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting using specific antibodies were employed to characterize cell proteins. Whereas furin readily cleaved soluble MT-MMP1 lacking the transmembrane domain (DeltaMT-MMP1), a soluble stromelysin-1/DeltaMT-MMP1 chimera without the RRKR basic motif was resistant to furin-induced cleavage. COS-1 cells cotransfected with wild type MT-MMP1 cDNA and furin cDNA demonstrated a 63-kDa protein (latent enzyme) on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis rather than the anticipated lower molecular weight activated enzyme. Inhibition of furin activity with alpha1-protease inhibitorPittsburgh (a furin inhibitor) did not affect the pro-gelatinase A activation mechanism in COS-1 cells cotransfected with MT-MMP1 and pro-gelatinase A cDNAs. Furthermore, substitution of the RRKR motif of MT-MMP1 with alanine residues by site-directed mutagenesis resulted in the same 63-kDa protein without loss of pro-gelatinase A activation function. These data indicate that furin-induced activation of MT-MMP1 is not a prerequisite for pro-gelatinase A activation. The mechanism of activation of cell-bound MT-MMP1 remains to be elucidated.

Identification of the cysteine residues implicated in the formation of alpha 2 and alpha/beta dimers of rat meprin

Meprin (endopeptidase-24.18; EC 3.4.24.18) is a multisubunit zinc-metallopeptidase found in the brush-border membranes of rodent kidney and human intestine. The alpha and beta subunits of meprin are disulphide-linked to form either soluble alpha 2 homodimers or membrane-associated alpha/beta heterodimers. The aim of the present study was to identify the cysteine residue(s) implicated in the formation of alpha 2 and alpha/beta dimers and to investigate the effects of dimerization on intracellular transport and processing of the alpha subunit. Three cysteine residue candidates for the formation of disulphide bonds in the alpha subunit were selected by hydrophobic cluster analysis. These residues, located at positions 309, 560 and 562, were mutated to serine residues. When the resulting alpha subunit mutants were expressed alone in COS-1 cells, the alpha C560S and alpha C562S mutants were found to be secreted as alpha 2 homodimers whereas the alpha C309S mutant was found as monomers in the culture medium. In double-transfection experiments with the wild-type beta subunit, the alpha C560S and alpha C562S mutants behaved exactly as the wild-type alpha subunit and formed membrane-bound alpha/beta heterodimers. In contrast, the alpha C309S mutant was not retained at the cell surface but rather secreted as monomers in the culture medium, as was found in the simple transfection experiment. These results show that, despite the normal expression level and folding of the protein in a transport-competent from, the alpha C309S mutant is unable to form alpha 2 homodimers or alpha/beta heterodimers. This suggests that Cys309 is the unique residue of the alpha subunit implicated in the alpha 2 and alpha/beta dimerizations. Hydrophobic cluster analysis of the alpha and beta subunit sequences predicts that Cys309 is similar to Cys306 of the beta subunit. We mutated the latter residue to a serine and expressed the beta C306S mutant and the wild-type alpha subunit in the same COS-1 cells. No beta 2 or alpha/beta dimers were observed on immunoblotting, showing that Cys306 of the beta subunit is required for the formation of intermolecular disulphide bonds both in beta 2 homodimers and in alpha/beta heterodimers. Taken together, these results suggest that the alpha/beta heterodimeric form of meprin is held together by a single disulphide bond linking Cys309 in the alpha subunit to Cys306 in the beta subunit.

Characterization of the soluble, secreted form of urinary meprin

A soluble form of the kidney membrane metalloendopeptidase, meprin, is present in urine. Urinary meprin is expressed in BALB/C mice with the Mep-1 alpha/alpha genotype (high meprin, expressing meprin-alpha and meprin-beta ) but not in BALB.K mice of the Mep-1b/b genotype (that only express meprin-beta ). Western blotting with antisera specific to the meprin-alpha and the meprin-beta subunits established that the only form of meprin present in urine samples was derived from meprin-alpha. This form of meprin is partially active, and comprises at least three variants by non-reducing SDS/PAGE and by zymography and two protein bands on reducing SDS/PAGE. Sequencing of these two bands established that the N-terminus of the larger protein band begins with the pro-peptide sequence of the alpha-subunit (VSIKH..), whereas the smaller band possessed the mature meprin N-terminal sequence (NAMRDP..). Trypsin is able to remove the pro-peptide, with a concomitant activation in proteolytic activity. After deglycosylation, the size of the pro- and mature forms of urinary meprin are consistent with cleavage in the region of the X-I boundary. There is a pronounced sexual dimorphism in urinary meprin expression. Females secrete a slightly larger form, and its proteolytic activity is about 50% of that released by males. The urinary meprin is therefore a naturally occurring secreted form of this membrane-bound metalloendopeptidase and is more likely to be generated by alternative processing pathways than by specific release mechanisms.