Activation and enzymatic characterization of recombinant human kallikrein 8

Human kallikrein 8 (hK8), whose gene was originally cloned as the human ortholog of a mouse brain protease, is known to be associated with diseases such as ovarian cancer and Alzheimer's disease. Recombinant human pro-kallikrein 8 was activated with lysyl endopeptidase-conjugated beads. Amino-terminal sequencing of the activated enzyme demonstrated the cleavage of a 9-aa propeptide from the pro-enzyme. The substrate specificity of activated hK8 was characterized using synthetic fluorescent substrates. hK8 showed trypsin-like specificity, as predicted from sequence analysis and enzymatic characterization of the mouse ortholog. All synthetic substrates tested containing either arginine or lysine at P1 position were cleaved by hK8. The highest k cat/K m value of 20×103M-1 s-1 was observed with Boc-Val-Pro-Arg-7-amido-4-methylcoumarin. The activity of hK8 was inhibited by antipain, chymostatin, and leupeptin. The concentration for 50% inhibition by the best inhibitor, antipain, was 0.46μM. The effect of different metal ions on the enzyme activity was analyzed. Whereas Na+ had no effect on hK8 activity, Ni2+ and Zn2+ decreased the activity and Ca2+, Mg2+, and K+ had a stimulatory effect. Ca2+ was the best activator, with an optimal concentration of approximately 10μ

Activation and enzymatic characterization of recombinant human kallikrein 8

Human kallikrein 8 (hK8), whose gene was originally cloned as the human ortholog of a mouse brain protease, is known to be associated with diseases such as ovarian cancer and Alzheimer's disease. Recombinant human pro-kallikrein 8 was activated with lysyl endopeptidase-conjugated beads. Amino-terminal sequencing of the activated enzyme demonstrated the cleavage of a 9-aa propeptide from the pro-enzyme. The substrate specificity of activated hK8 was characterized using synthetic fluorescent substrates. hK8 showed trypsin-like specificity, as predicted from sequence analysis and enzymatic characterization of the mouse ortholog. All synthetic substrates tested containing either arginine or lysine at P1 position were cleaved by hK8. The highest k cat/K m value of 20×103M-1 s-1 was observed with Boc-Val-Pro-Arg-7-amido-4-methylcoumarin. The activity of hK8 was inhibited by antipain, chymostatin, and leupeptin. The concentration for 50% inhibition by the best inhibitor, antipain, was 0.46μM. The effect of different metal ions on the enzyme activity was analyzed. Whereas Na+ had no effect on hK8 activity, Ni2+ and Zn2+ decreased the activity and Ca2+, Mg2+, and K+ had a stimulatory effect. Ca2+ was the best activator, with an optimal concentration of approximately 10μ

Major role of human KLK14 in seminal clot liquefaction

Liquefaction of human semen involves proteolytic degradation of the seminal coagulum and release of motile spermatozoa. Several members of human kallikrein-related peptidases (KLKs) have been implicated in semen liquefaction, functioning through highly regulated proteolytic cascades. Among these, KLK3 (also known as prostate-specific antigen) is the main executor enzyme responsible for processing of the primary components of semen coagulum, semenogelins I and II. We have recently identified KLK14 as a potential activator of KLK3 and other KLKs. This study aims to elucidate the cascade-mediated role of KLK14 ex vivo. KLK14 expression was significantly lower (p = 0.0252) in individuals with clinically delayed liquefaction. Concordantly, KLK14 expression was significantly (p = 0.0478) lower in asthenospermic cases. Specific inhibition of KLK14 activity by the synthetic inhibitor ACT(G9) resulted in a significant delay in semen liquefaction, a drop in the "early" (30 min postejaculation) "chymotrypsin- like" and KLK1 activity, and an increase in the "late" (90 min postejaculation) chymotrypsin-like activity. Conversely, the addition of recombinant active KLK14 facilitated the liquefaction process, augmented the early chymotrypsin-like activity, and lowered late chymotrypsin-like activity. Given that the observed chymotrypsin-like activity was almost completely attributed to KLK3 activity, KLK3 seems to be regulated bidirectionally. Accordingly, a higher level of KLK3 fragmentation was observed in KLK14-induced coagula, suggesting an inactivation mechanism via internal cleavage. Finally, semenogelins I and II were directly cleaved by KLK14. Semenogelins were also able to reverse KLK14 inhibition by Zn2+, providing a novel regulatory mechanism for KLK14 activity. Our results show that KLK14 exerts a significant and dose-dependent effect in the process of semen liquefaction

Substrate specificity of human kallikrein 2 (hK2) as determined by phage display technology.

Human glandular kallikrein 2 (hK2) is a trypsin-like serine protease expressed predominantly in the prostate epithelium. Recently, hK2 has proven to be a useful marker that can be used in combination with prostate specific antigen for screening and diagnosis of prostate cancer. The cleavage by hK2 of certain substrates in the proteolytic cascade suggest that the kallikrein may be involved in prostate cancer development; however, there has been very little other progress toward its biochemical characterization or elucidation of its true physiological role. In the present work, we adapt phage substrate technology to study the substrate specificity of hK2. A phage-displayed random pentapeptide library with exhaustive diversity was generated and then screened with purified hK2. Phages displaying peptides susceptible to hK2 cleavage were amplified in eight rounds of selection and genes encoding substrates were transferred from the phage to a fluorescent system using cyan fluorescent protein (derived from green fluorescent protein) that enables rapid determination of specificity constants. This study shows that hK2 has a strict preference for Arg in the P1 position, which is further enhanced by a Ser in P'1 position. The scissile bonds identified by phage display substrate selection correspond to those of the natural biological substrates of hK2, which include protein C inhibitor, semenogelins, and fibronectin. Moreover, three new putative hK2 protein substrates, shown elsewhere to be involved in the biology of the cancer, have been identified thus reinforcing the importance of hK2 in prostate cancer development

Two Adjacent Trimeric Fas Ligands Are Required for Fas Signaling and Formation of a Death-Inducing Signaling Complex

The membrane-bound form of Fas ligand (FasL) signals apoptosis in target cells through engagement of the death receptor Fas, whereas the proteolytically processed, soluble form of FasL does not induce cell death. However, soluble FasL can be rendered active upon cross-linking. Since the minimal extent of oligomerization of FasL that exerts cytotoxicity is unknown, we engineered hexameric proteins containing two trimers of FasL within the same molecule. This was achieved by fusing FasL to the Fc portion of immunoglobulin G1 or to the collagen domain of ACRP30/adiponectin. Trimeric FasL and hexameric FasL both bound to Fas, but only the hexameric forms were highly cytotoxic and competent to signal apoptosis via formation of a death-inducing signaling complex. Three sequential early events in Fas-mediated apoptosis could be dissected, namely, receptor binding, receptor activation, and recruitment of intracellular signaling molecules, each of which occurred independently of the subsequent one. These results demonstrate that the limited oligomerization of FasL, and most likely of some other tumor necrosis factor family ligands such as CD40L, is required for triggering of the signaling pathways