Determination of the complete amino-acid sequence of porcine miniplasminogen

Comparative Study of Enzyme Activity and Stability of Bovine and Human Plasmins in Electrophoretic Reagents, β-mercaptoethanol, DTT, SDS, Triton X-100, and Urea

Effects of common electrophoretic reagents, reducing agents (beta-mercaptoethanol [BME] and DTT), denaturants (SDS and urea), and non-ionic detergent (Triton X-100), on the activity and stability of bovine plasmin (b-pln) and human plasmin (h-pln) were compared. In the presence of 0.1% SDS (w/v), all reagents completely inhibited two plns, whereas SDS (1%) and urea (1 M) denatured plns recovered their activities after removal of SDS by treatment of 2.5% Triton X-100 (v/v). However, reducing agents (0.1 M of BME and DTT) treated plns did not restore their activities. Based on a fibrin zymogram gel, five (from b-pln) and four (from h-pln) active fragments were resolved. Two plns exhibited unusual stability in concentrated SDS and Triton X-100 (final 10%) and urea (final 6 M) solutions. Two bands, heavy chain-2 (HC-2) and cleaved heavy chain-2 (CHC-2), of b-pln were completely inhibited in 0.5% SDS or 3 M urea, whereas no significant difference was found in h-pln. Interestingly, 50 kDa (cleaved heavy chain-1, CHC-1) of b-pln and two fragments, 26 kDa (light chain, LC) and 29 kDa (microplasmin, MP), of h-pln were increased by SDS in a concentration dependent manner. We also found that the inhibition of SDS against both plns was reversible.

Cloning, expression, sequence analysis, and characterization of streptokinases secreted by porcine and equine isolates of Streptococcus equisimilis

Streptokinases secreted by nonhuman isolates of group C streptococci (Streptococcus equi, S. equisimilis, and S. zooepidemicus) have been shown to bind to different mammalian plasminogens but exhibit preferential plasminogen activity. The streptokinase genes from S. equisimilis strains which activated either equine or porcine plasminogen were cloned, sequenced, and expressed in Escherichia coli. The streptokinase secreted by the equine isolate had little similarity to any known streptokinases secreted by either human or porcine isolates. The streptokinase secreted by the porcine isolate had limited structural and functional similarities to streptokinases secreted by human isolates. Plasminogen activation studies with immobilized (His)(6)-tagged recombinant streptokinases indicated that these recombinant streptokinases interacted with plasminogen in a manner similar to that observed when streptokinase and plasminogen interact in the fluid phase. Analysis of the cleavage products of the streptokinase-plasminogen interaction indicated that human, equine, and porcine plasminogens were all cleaved at the same highly conserved site. The site at which streptokinase was cleaved to form altered streptokinase (Sk*) was also determined. This study confirmed not only the presence of streptokinases in nonhuman S. equisimilis isolates but also that these proteins belong to a family of plasminogen activators more diverse than previously thought.

The cortical granule serine protease CGSP1 of the sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus, is autocatalytic and contains a low-density lipoprotein receptor-like domain

Trypsin-like activity is secreted from eggs of many species at fertilization, and this activity is believed to be critical for the block to polyspermy. Here we show that a cortical granule serine protease of sea urchins is the major and perhaps only protease family member important for fertilization. Zymography assays suggest that the cortical granules contain a single serine protease that can undergo autocatalysis and is secreted upon egg activation. We used this finding to identify a cDNA clone from a Strongylocentrotus purpuratus ovary cDNA library that encodes a 581-amino-acid-residue protein that we refer to as cortical granule serine protease 1 (CGSP1). The catalytic domain of the protein contains the essential residues of the catalytic triad characteristic of a member of the trypsin-like family of serine proteases and the N-terminus of CGSP1 resembles the ligand-binding domain of the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor. Antibodies raised separately to both the protease and LDL receptor-like domains each localize to the cortical granules of unfertilized eggs. Furthermore, the full-length form of CGSP1, as well as intermediate and active forms of the protease, is detected in cortical granules by immunoblot analysis. Our evidence suggests that CGSP1 is activated at fertilization and is responsible for the protease-mediated reactions that follow cortical granule exocytosis and contribute to the block to polyspermy.

Compound-Heterozygous Mutations in the Plasminogen Gene Predispose to the Development of Ligneous Conjunctivitis

Homozygous type I plasminogen deficiency has been identified as a cause of ligneous conjunctivitis. In this study, 5 additional patients with ligneous conjunctivitis are examined. Three unrelated patients (1 boy, 1 elderly woman, and 1 man) had plasminogen antigen levels of less than 0.4, less than 0.4, and 2.4 mg/dL, respectively, but had plasminogen functional residual activity of 17%, 18%, and 17%, respectively. These subjects were compound-heterozygotes for different missense mutations in the plasminogen gene: Lys19 → Glu/Arg513 → His, Lys19 → Glu/Arg216 → His, and Lys19 → Glu/Leu128 → Pro, respectively. The other 2 patients, a 14-year-old boy and his 19-year-old sister, who both presented with a severe course of the disease, exhibited plasminogen antigen and functional activity levels below the detection limit (<0.4 mg/dL and <5%, respectively). These subjects were compound-heterozygotes for a deletion mutation (del Lys212) and a splice site mutation in intron Q (Ex17 + 1del-g) in the plasminogen gene. These findings show that certain compound-heterozygous mutations in the plasminogen gene may be associated with ligneous conjunctivitis. Our findings also suggest that the severity of clinical symptoms of ligneous conjunctivitis and its associated complications may depend on the amount of plasminogen functional residual activity.

Lysine-50 is a likely site for anchoring the plasminogen N-terminal peptide to lysine-binding kringles

Interactions between the kringle 4 (K4) domain of human plasminogen (Pgn) and segments of the N-terminal Glu1-Lys77 peptide (NTP) have been investigated via 1H-NMR at 500 MHz. NTP peptide stretches devoid of Lys residues but carrying an internal Arg residue show negligible affinity toward K4 (equilibrium association constant Ka < 0.05 mM(-1)). In contrast, while most fragments containing an internal Lys residue exhibit affinities comparable to that shown by the blocked Lys derivative Nalpha-acetyl-L-lysine-methyl ester (Ka approximately 0.2 mM(-1), peptides encompassing Lys50O consistently show higher Ka values. Among the investigated linear peptides, Nalpha-acetyl-Ala-Phe-Tyr-His-Ser-Ser-Lys5O-Glu-Gln-NH2 (AcAFYHSK5OEQ-NH2) exhibits the strongest interaction with K4 (Ka approximately 1.4 mM(-1)), followed by AcYHSK50EQ-NH2 (Ka approximately 0.9 mM(-1)). Relative to the wild-type sequence, mutated hexapeptides exhibit lesser affinity for K4. When a Lys50 --> Ser mutation was introduced (==> AcYHSS50EQ-NH2), binding was abolished. The Ile27-lle56 construct (L-NTP) contains the Lys50 site within a loop constrained by two cystine bridges. The propensity of recombinant Pgn K1 (rK1) and K2 (rK2) modules, and of Pgn fragments encompassing the intact K4 and K5 domains, for binding L-NTP, was investigated. We find that L-NTP interacts with rK1, rK2, K4, and K5-all lysine-binding kringles-in a fashion that closely mimics what has been observed for the Glul-HSer57 N-terminal fragment of Pgn (CB-NTP). Thus, both the constellation of kringle lysine binding site (LBS) aromatic residues that are perturbed upon complexation of L-NTP and magnitudes of kringle-L-NTP binding affinities (rK1, Ka approximately 4.3 mM(-1); rK2, Ka approximately 3.7 mM(-1; K4, Ka approximately 6.4 mM(1); and K5, Ka approximately 2.1 mM(-1)) are essentially the same as for the corresponding kringle-CB-NTP pairs. Molecular modeling studies suggest that the Glu39-Lys50 stretch in NTP generates an area that complements, both topologically and electrostatically, the solvent-exposed kringle LBS surface.

Reaction of human alpha2-antiplasmin and plasmin stopped-flow fluorescence kinetics

The interaction of human plasmin with human alpha2-antiplasmin was measured in the presence and absence of lysine-binding ligands using the corresponding active site fluorescence changes. The stopped-flow method allows for direct determination of reliable values of the second order rate constant for the fast association step of plasmin and alpha2-antiplasmin in the absence of another interacting compound, e.g. a plasmin substrate. At pH 7.4, 25 degrees C, k1 = 2.2 x 10(7) M(-1)s(-1) was obtained. Substantial reductions in k1 were seen in the presence of trans-4-(aminomethyl)cyclohexane-1-carboxylic acid at concentrations corresponding to lysine-binding site interactions at kringle 4 of plasmin; at saturation the rate constant is reduced 20-fold, whereas the effect of saturation of kringle 1 is only a 2-fold reduction. It is thus found that the interaction of alpha2-antiplasmin with the lysine-binding site of kringle 1 is of little importance compared with that of kringle 4 in regulating the inhibition reaction of plasmin with alpha2-antiplasmin. Similar results were recently obtained for the bovine plasmin-bovine alpha2-antiplasmin reaction (Christensen et al. (1995) Biochem. J. 305, 97-102).

Stopped-flow fluorescence kinetics of bovine alpha 2-antiplasmin inhibition of bovine midiplasmin

In the conversion of bovine plasminogen to bovine plasmin not only the expected urokinase-catalysed cleavage of Arg-557-Val-558, and the following autocatalytic cleavage separating the N-terminal peptide 1-77 from the heavy chain of plasmin, but also a cleavage at Arg-342-Met-343 between kringles 3 and 4 is seen. Here, kinetic studies of the interaction of bovine alpha 2-antiplasmin with bovine plasmin were performed on isolated bovine midiplasmin (lacking kringles 1-3) and on bovine plasmin containing all of the activation products from the bovine plasminogen. A series of experiments using stopped-flow fluorescence fast kinetics as well as conventional techniques suggests a reaction model in accordance with the one known for the human system. First, a tight complex (K1 in the nanomolar range) is formed in a fast reaction step; and second, a tightening of this complex occurs in a slow reaction step. The final complex is indeed so tight (Ki < or = pM), that the reaction for many practical purposes is legitimately considered irreversible. The stopped-flow method allows for the determination of reliable values of the second-order rate constant for the fast association step. At pH 7.4 and 25 degrees C, k+1 = 1.7 x 10(6) M-1 s-1 was obtained in the absence and k+1 = 0.9 x 10(6) M-1.s-1 in the presence of the kringles 1-3 domain of bovine plasmin. In contrast to this, substantial reductions of k+1 were seen in the presence of concentrations of 6-amino-hexanoic acid corresponding to lysine-binding-site interactions and far too low to be attributed to active-site interactions with the bovine plasmins (for each, Ki = 42 mM). All in all, the data indicated that the lysine-binding site(s) not of kringle 1, but of midiplasmin (those of kringles 4 and 5) are regulating the inhibition reaction.

Substitution of arginine 719 for glutamic acid in human plasminogen substantially reduces its affinity for streptokinase

In isolation human plasminogen possesses no enzymatic activity, yet upon formation of an equimolar complex with the bacterial protein streptokinase, it acquires a plasminogen activator function. The region(s) of plasminogen and of streptokinase which mediate complex formation has (have) not been previously published. Here it is reported that a single-residue substitution (Arg719-->Glu) in the serine protease domain of full-length Glu-plasminogen substantially reduces its affinity for streptokinase. The plasminogen variant displays no other significant differences from the wild-type molecule with respect to activation by two-chain urokinase-type plasminogen activator, recognition by monoclonal antibodies, or ability to undergo conformational change. It is concluded that Arg719 in human plasminogen is an important determinant of the streptokinase binding site, although further sites are likely to contribute both to the affinity of plasminogen for streptokinase and to mechanisms by which the active site is formed within the complex.

Characterization of the cDNA coding for mouse plasminogen and localization of the gene to mouse chromosome 17

A full-length cDNA coding for mouse plasminogen has been isolated and characterized. The cDNA is 2720 bp in length (excluding the poly(A) tail) and contains a 24-bp 5' noncoding region, an open reading frame of 2436 bp, and a 3' noncoding region of 257 bp. The open reading frame codes for 812 amino acids and includes a signal peptide that is likely 19 amino acids in length and the mature protein of 793 amino acids. The calculated Mr of mouse plasminogen is 88,706 excluding carbohydrate. There are two potential N-linked carbohydrate addition sites; one of which is glycosylated in human, bovine, and porcine plasminogens. Mouse plasminogen was found to contain two additional amino acids compared to the human protein. In addition, mouse and human plasminogens were found to be 79 and 76% identical at the protein and DNA levels, respectively. Analysis of the segregation of two allelic forms, Plgb and Plgd, of plasminogen DNA in three sets of recombinant inbred strains has allowed the localization of the mouse plasminogen gene to the proximal end of mouse chromosome 17 within the t complex and close to the locus D17Rp17. The Plg gene is deleted in the semidominant deletion mutant, hair-pintail (Thp).

Binding of bovine, ovine, porcine, canine, and rat plasminogen to rat hepatocytes and rat C6 glioma cells in vitro

Plasminogens were purified by affinity chromatography from bovine, ovine, porcine, canine, and rat plasma. The binding of each plasminogen to rat hepatocytes in primary culture and to rat C6 glioma cells was studied by radiodisplacement experiments. All of the plasminogens inhibited human 125I-[Glu1]plasminogen type 2 binding to specific cell surface receptors. The IC50 values were similar. These studies suggest conservation of the receptor recognition site in plasminogens across species lines.

Plasminogen polymorphism in swine

1. Plasminogen polymorphism in swine (Sus scrofa) plasma was demonstrated by immunoblotting. 2. Eleven plasminogen phenotypic patterns, including a null pattern, were detected. 3. The null pattern was associated with extremely low plasma triglyceride and increased unesterified cholesterol levels. 4. Changes in plasminogen polymorphic patterns from the fetal to neonate status were observed after nursing commenced.

Porcine tissue plasminogen activator. Immunoaffinity purification, structural properties and glycosylation pattern

Tissue plasminogen activator was purified in high yield from pig heart by immunoaffinity chromatography and characterized by analysis of the glycosylation pattern and the N-terminal amino acid sequence. Comparisons with the human enzyme reveals residue exchanges in the A-chain at positions 3 (porcine Arg/human Gln) and 5 (Thr/Ile), and in the B-chain at positions 6 (Tyr/Phe), 10 (Thr/Ala) and 20 (Val/Ala). The glycosylation pattern for the porcine activator was determined by endoglycosidase treatment followed by gel electrophoresis. The A-chain contains a single high-mannose type of N-linked glycan structure and the B-chain contains a complex type of oligosaccharide. A similar but not identical pattern has been observed for the human activator, purified from melanoma cells.

Monoclonal antibodies inhibitory to human plasmin. Definitive demonstration of a role for plasmin in activating the proenzyme of urokinase-type plasminogen activator

Four monoclonal antibodies raised against purified human plasminogen were characterized for their effects on the activation of plasminogen and on three enzymic properties of plasmin: (a) thioesterolysis, (b) fibrinolysis, (c) conversion of high-Mr urokinase to its low-Mr form. None of the monoclonal antibodies inhibited plasminogen (plg) activation by urokinase. The monoclonal antibodies characterized in this study fell into three groups. Anti-plg 1 inhibited (a), (b) and (c), while anti-plg 2 inhibited activities (a), (b) and (c) to varying degrees but also formed complexes with plasmin that were stable to sodium dodecyl sulphate. Anti-plg 3 and anti-plg 4 inhibited only activity (c). Selective use of these monoclonal antibodies demonstrated unequivocally that plasmin mediates the activation of the proenzyme form of urokinase-type plasminogen activator. Besides their use in affinity chromatography, therefore, these antibodies are valuable for defining the role of plasmin in the mechanisms of extracellular matrix degradation.