Assessment of proteolytic degradation of the basement membrane: a fragment of type IV collagen as a biochemical marker for liver fibrosis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Collagen deposition and an altered matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression profile are hallmarks of fibrosis. Type IV collagen is the most abundant structural basement membrane component of tissue, which increases 14-fold during fibrogenesis in the liver. Proteolytic degradation of collagens by proteases produces small fragments, so-called neoepitopes, which are released systemically. Technologies investigating MMP-generated fragments of collagens may provide more useful information than traditional serological assays that crudely measure total protein. In the present study, we developed an ELISA for the quantification of a neoepitope generated by MMP degradation of type IV collagen and evaluated the association of this neoepitope with liver fibrosis in two animal models.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Type IV collagen was degraded <it>in vitro </it>by a variety of proteases. Mass spectrometric analysis revealed more than 200 different degradation fragments. A specific peptide sequence, 1438'GTPSVDHGFL'1447 (CO4-MMP), in the α1 chain of type IV collagen generated by MMP-9 was selected for ELISA development. ELISA was used to determine serum levels of the CO4-MMP neoepitope in two rat models of liver fibrosis: inhalation of carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) and bile duct ligation (BDL). The levels were correlated to histological findings using Sirius red staining.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A technically robust assay was produced that is specific to the type IV degradation fragment, GTPSVDHGFL. CO4-MMP serum levels increased significantly in all BDL groups compared to baseline, with a maximum increase of 248% seen two weeks after BDL. There were no changes in CO4-MMP levels in sham-operated rats. In the CCl₄model, levels of CO4-MMP were significantly elevated at weeks 12, 16 and 20 compared to baseline levels, with a maximum increase of 88% after 20 weeks. CO4-MMP levels correlated to Sirius red staining results.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This ELISA is the first assay developed for assessment of proteolytic degraded type IV collagen, which, by enabling quantification of basement membrane degradation, could be relevant in investigating various fibrogenic pathologies. The CO4-MMP degradation fragment was highly associated with liver fibrosis in the two animal models studied.</p

In vitro synthesis of transfer RNA. I. Purification of required components.

We have described an in vitro system in which active su+III tRNATyr is synthesized from a phi80psu++III DNA template. Using this system, we have identified four essential components that are required for synthesis of tRNA. The first of these is DNA-dependent RNA polymerase. It has been shown that a crude preparation of DNA-dependent RNA polymerase synthesizes su++III tRNATyr precursor similar to that which has been isolated in vivo, and that this preparation is capable of supporting high levels of tRNA synthesis. With purified DNA-dependent RNA polymerase, the su++III tRNATyr precursor was not observed as a transcription product and tRNA synthesis was below detetable levels. On this basis, a second essential component for tRNA synthesis was identified. This fraction, designated Fraction V, in combination with purified RNA polymerase, catalyzes the synthesis of precursor tRNA. The third component is a ribonuclease (RNase P III), which specifically catalyzes the removal of the extra nucleotides present at the 3' terminus of the tRNA precursor. In the absence of this fraction, the in vitro synthesized su++III tRNATyr is slightly larger than 4 S and contains additional nucleotides beyond the normal --CCAOH 3 terminus of the mature tRNA. The fourth essential component required is a fraction containing RNase P, a previously identified endonuclease which specifically catalyzes the removal of the 5' extra nucleotides present on tRNA precursors

In vitro synthesis of transfer RNA. II. Identification of required enzymatic activities.

We have shown that the synthesis of active su+III tRNATyr from a phi80psu+III DNA template requires the action of four distinct enzymatic activities. The first of these, DNA-dependent RNA polymerase, catalyzes the formation of a large molecular weight transcript, initiating synthesis at a specific site 41 nucleotides proximal to the 5' end of the su+III tRNATyr structural gene and continuing at least 100 nucleotides beyond the 3' terminus of the su+III tRNATyr sequence. The second required component, designated Fraction V, allows purified DNA-DEPENDENT RNA polymerase to function in tRNA synthesis. We have shown that this fraction contains an endonuclease that together with DNA-dependent RNA polymerase is responsible for the synthesis of su+III tRNATyr "precursor". Thus, su+III tRNATyr precursor is not itself the primary transcription product of the su+III tRNATyr gene, but rather, it arises as a result of post-transcriptional cleavage of a much larger transcript by the action of the nuclease present in Fraction V. The third enzymatic activity required for synthesis of active su+III tRNATyr is a ribonuclease (RNase P III) that specifically catalyzes the removal of the 3' extra nucleotides from the su+III tRNATyr precursor. The fourth activity required for synthesis of tRNA is a previously identified endonuclease, RNase P, that specifically catalyzes the removal of the 5' extra nucleotides from tRNA precursors. The properties of RNase P purified according to the procedure developed in this laboratory have been compared with those of the enzyme purified from ribosomes according to the procedure described by Robertson et al. (Robertson, H.D., Altman, S., and Smith, F.D. (1972) J.Biol. Chem. 247, 5243-5251.)

Structure and in vitro transcription of human globin genes.

The alpha-like and beta-like subunits of human hemoglobin are encoded by a small family of genes that are differentially expressed during development. Through the use of molecular cloning procedures, each member of this gene family has been isolated and extensively characterized. Although the alpha-like and beta-like globin genes are located on different chromosomes, both sets of genes are arranged in closely linked clusters. In both clusters, each of the genes is transcribed from the same DNA strand, and the genes are arranged in the order of their expressions during development. Structural comparisons of immediately adjacent genes within each cluster have provided evidence for the occurrence of gene duplication and correction during evolution and have led to the discovery of pseudogenes, genes that have acquired numerous mutations that prevent their normal expression. Recently, in vivo and in vitro systems for studying the expression of cloned eukaryotic genes have been developed as a means of identifying DNA sequences that are necessary for normal gene function. This article describes the application of an in vitro transcription procedure to the study of human globin gene expression