Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: EC:2.7.7.48 (transcriptase)
 9,479 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Changes in masticatory muscle structure and function are either developmental, as seen in anomalies of facial form, or adaptive, as seen during procedures such as orthognathic surgery and functional-appliance orthodontic therapy. Remodelling of muscle extracellular matrix is pivotal in these processes. This turnover is mediated via members of the family of enzymes known as matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) and inhibited by the tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMP). The aim here was to investigate the in vivo pattern of expression and distribution of MMPs and TIMPs in masseter muscle of humans with both normal and abnormal facial forms. Masseter muscle biopsies were taken from 10 patients, four with long-face syndrome and six normal controls as confirmed by cephalometry. Immunohistochemical techniques were used to show the pattern and distribution of MMPs and TIMP proteins in the muscle. Zymography of tissue extracts was used to determine the presence of MMP activity. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect the presence of MMP and TIMP-2 mRNA. MMP-1 was expressed around the individual muscle fibres, especially in those fibre surfaces in contact with the interstices of the connective tissue and around blood vessels. MMP-9 staining was less intense and was expressed in the interstices of the connective tissue and around blood vessels. Zymography of protein extracts confirmed that MMP-9 activity was present. MMP-2 and MMP-3 were not expressed in the samples, although MMP-2 mRNA could be detected by RT-PCR and its activity could be detected by zymography. Intense TIMP-1 staining was present around each muscle fibre, in the interstices of the connective tissue and surrounding blood vessels; TIMP-2 mRNA could be detected in all samples. These staining patterns were seen in all biopsies examined and were irrespective of the facial form of the donor. These findings provide evidence that the mechanisms required for matrix remodelling are present in the human masseter muscle.
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PMID:Identification of matrix metalloproteinases and their tissue inhibitors type 1 and 2 in human masseter muscle. 1077 72

Previous in vitro data on type I collagen self-assembly into fibrils suggested that the amino acid 776-796 region of the alpha1(I) chain is crucial for fibril formation because it serves as the recognition site for the telopeptide of a docking collagen monomer. We used a natural collagen mutation with a deletion of amino acids 766-801 to confirm the importance of this region for collagen fibril formation. The proband has type III osteogenesis imperfecta and is heterozygous for a COL1A1 IVS 41 A(+4) --> C substitution. The intronic mutation causes splicing of exon 41, confirmed by sequencing of normal and shorter reverse transcriptase-PCR products. Reverse transcriptase-PCR using RNA from proband dermal fibroblasts and clonal cell lines showed the mutant cDNA was about 15% of total alpha1(I) cDNA. The mutant transcript is translated; structurally abnormal alpha chains are demonstrated in the cell layer of proband fibroblasts by SDS-urea-PAGE. The proportion of mutant chains in the secreted procollagen was determined to be 10% by resistance to digestion with MMP-1, since chains lacking exon 41 are missing the vertebral collagenase cleavage site. Secreted proband collagen was used for analysis of kinetics of binding of alpha1(I) C-telopeptide using an optical biosensor. Telopeptide had slower association and faster dissociation from proband than from normal collagen. Purified proband pC-collagen was used to study fibril formation. The presence of the mutant molecules decreases the rate of fibril formation. The fibrils formed in the presence of 10-15% mutant molecules have strikingly increased length compared with normal collagen, but are well organized, as demonstrated by D-periodicity. These results suggest that some collagen molecules containing the mutant chain are incorporated into fibrils and that the absence of the telopeptide binding region from even a small portion of the monomers interferes with fibril growth. Both abnormal fibrils and slower remodeling may contribute to the severe phenotype.in
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PMID:Procollagen with skipping of alpha 1(I) exon 41 has lower binding affinity for alpha 1(I) C-telopeptide, impaired in vitro fibrillogenesis, and altered fibril morphology. 1170 4

To assess the possible involvement of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the pathology of osteoarthritic (OA) cartilage, we examined the expression of VEGF isoforms and their receptors in the articular cartilage, and the effects of VEGF on the production of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) in OA chondrocytes. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analyses demonstrated that mRNAs for three VEGF isoforms (VEGF(121), VEGF(165), and VEGF(189)) are detectable in all of the OA and normal (NOR) cartilage samples. However, the mRNA expression of their receptors (VEGFR-1 = Flt-1, VEGFR-2 = KDR and neuropilin-1) was recognized only in the OA samples. The protein expression of VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2 in OA chondrocytes was also demonstrated by immunohistochemistry of the OA cartilage tissue and cultured OA chondrocytes. In situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry indicated that VEGF is expressed in the chondrocytes in the superficial and transitional zones of OA cartilage. A linear correlation was obtained between VEGF immunoreactivity and Mankin scores in the cartilage (r = 0.906, P < 0.001). The production levels of VEGF determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were significantly 3.3-fold higher in OA than in NOR samples (P < 0.001). Among MMP-1, -2, -3, -7, -8, -9, and -13, TIMP-1 and -2 measured by their sandwich enzyme immunoassay systems, the production of MMP-1 and MMP-3 but not TIMP-1 or TIMP-2 was significantly enhanced by the treatment of cultured OA chondrocytes with VEGF (P < 0.05), whereas no such effect was obtained with cultured NOR chondrocytes. These results demonstrate that VEGF and its receptors are expressed in OA cartilage, and suggest the possibility that VEGF is implicated for the destruction of OA articular cartilage through the increased production of MMPs.
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PMID:Vascular endothelial growth factor isoforms and their receptors are expressed in human osteoarthritic cartilage. 1250

In contrast to adult cutaneous wounds, early fetal wounds heal scarlessly. Fetal rat skin transitions from scarless repair to healing, with scar formation between days 16.5 (E16) and 18.5 (E18) of gestation. Term gestation is 21.5 days. The composition of the extracellular matrix in fetal skin and wounds differs from that of the adult. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissue-derived inhibitors (TIMPs) determine the architecture of the extracellular matrix. The authors hypothesized that differential expression of MMPs and TIMPs occurs during the ontogenetic transition to scar-forming repair in fetal skin and wounds. Full-thickness, excisional wounds (2 mm) were created on the dorsum of E16 (n = 42 fetuses) and E19 fetal rats (n = 42 fetuses). Wounds were harvested at 24, 48, and 72 hours. Nonwounded skin from littermates was also harvested as controls. Six E16 and E19 wounds were fixed 72 hours after injury, stained with hematoxylin and eosin, and examined by light microscopy. RNA was isolated from the remaining wounds and skin, and a reduced-cycle, primer-specific, reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction was performed to semiquantitatively determine relative gene expression of MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-7, MMP-9, and MMP-14 and of TIMP-1, TIMP-2, and TIMP-3. Significance was determined by unpaired two-tailed t test (p < 0.05) and analysis of variance. In both E16 and E19 wounds, reepithelialization was complete by 72 hours. E16 wounds healed scarlessly, whereas E19 wounds healed with scar. During late gestation, skin expression of MMP-1 and MMP-14 (membrane type-1 MMP) doubled, whereas MMP-2 expression increased nearly 50-fold. Levels of MMP-7 and MMP-9 were unchanged in developing skin. As for the TIMPs, skin expression of TIMP-2 increased more than four-fold, whereas TIMP-1 and TIMP-3 expression was unchanged. In both scarless and scarring wounds, up-regulation of MMP-1 and MMP-9 occurred. However, the maximal increase in MMP-1 and MMP-9 expression occurred much more rapidly and was much greater in the scarless E16 wounds (28-fold versus 23-fold for MMP-1 and 18-fold versus nine-fold for MMP-9). Unchanged in scarless wounds, MMP-2 levels decreased more than three-fold in scarring wounds. MMP-14 (membrane type-1 MMP) expression increased three-fold in scarless wounds but was unchanged in scarring wounds. In contrast, TIMP-1 and TIMP-3 expression in E19 scarring wounds increased six-fold and four-fold, respectively. MMP-7 and TIMP-2 expression did not change in response to injury. E16 scarless wounds have greater MMP relative to TIMP expression than E19 scarring wounds. This favors extracellular matrix turnover, facilitates migration of fetal cells, and promotes scarless repair.
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PMID:Scarless fetal wounds are associated with an increased matrix metalloproteinase-to-tissue-derived inhibitor of metalloproteinase ratio. 1279 70

Tumor embolism occurs in 30 to 50% of all cases of cardiac myxoma, but the causes are still uncertain. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are proteolytic enzymes that degrade the extracellular matrix (ECM) and play a crucial role in plaque instability and aortic aneurysm development, in addition to cancer and heart failure. To determine whether MMP activity contributes to tumor embolism, we examined 27 left atrium-sided myxomas, 10 of which showed clinical signs of peripheral embolism. Immunohistochemistry (in all cases) and Western blotting, and in situ and in-gel zymography (in four embolic and six nonembolic consecutive tumors) demonstrated higher expression and activity of MT1-MMP, pro-MMP-2, and pro-MMP-9 in embolic myxomas, whereas pro-MMP-1, MMP-3, and TIMP-1 levels were similar to those of nonembolic tumors. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction demonstrated that increased MMP activity was due, at least in part, to increased transcription and that TIMP-2 transcripts increased in embolic myxomas. In vitro, embolic tumor cells retained higher MT1-MMP and pro-MMP-2 levels in basal conditions and after stimulation with interleukin-1beta and interleukin-6. Increased MMP synthesis and release correlated with enhanced ECM degradation products containing glycosaminoglycan chains in embolic myxoma tissue. Our results strongly suggest that MMP overexpression may contribute to an excessive degradation of tumor ECM and increase the risk of embolism in cardiac myxomas.
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PMID:Increased expression and activity of matrix metalloproteinases characterize embolic cardiac myxomas. 1592 Jan 47

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and the tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMPs) have been suggested to play a role in dental pulp destruction. This study examined the effects of interleukin (IL)-1 alpha on pulp fibroblasts. The ability of these cells to degrade collagen was determined with or without IL-1 alpha utilizing a cell-mediated collagen degradation assay. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction was utilized to examine the mRNA expression of multiple MMPs and TIMPs with and without IL-1 alpha, while Western blot analyses and zymography were utilized to examine their protein expression. The collagen degradation mediated by these cells was stimulated by IL-1 alpha and inhibited by MMP inhibitors. IL-1 alpha increased the mRNA expression of MMP-1 and MMP-3, as well as induced MMP-7. Western blot analyses confirmed these results. IL-1 alpha increased the secreted protein level of TIMP-1, while only slightly affected the level of TIMP-2. These results suggest that IL-1 alpha can induce pulp destruction by differentially regulating MMPs and TIMPs.
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PMID:Interleukin-1 alpha alters the expression of matrix metalloproteinases and collagen degradation by pulp fibroblasts. 1650 Feb 23

Dental pulp destruction is believed to be regulated, in part, by the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMPs). Cytokines are believed to be important in the pathogenesis of pulpitis. This study examined the effects that TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, and TGF-beta1 have on the collagen degradation mediated by pulp fibroblasts utilizing a cell-mediated collagen degradation assay. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, Western blot analyses, and zymography were utilized to examine multiple MMPs and TIMPs. The collagen degradation mediated by these cells was stimulated by these cytokines. TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, and IL-6 increased the mRNA and/or protein expression of MMP-1, MMP-2, and MMP-3. TGF-beta1 decreased MMP-1 mRNA expression, while only slightly affecting the MMP-2 and MMP-3 mRNA and/or protein. These cytokines did not affect the expression of TIMP-1 or TIMP-2. These results suggest that these cytokines affect pulp destruction, in part, by differentially regulating the MMPs and TIMPs.
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PMID:The effects of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1beta, interleukin-6, and transforming growth factor-beta1 on pulp fibroblast mediated collagen degradation. 1693 28

We previously demonstrated that a high dose of tacrolimus (1 mumol/L) induced expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) proteins in human cultured gingival fibroblasts, suggesting a molecular mechanism maintaining gingival collagen homeostasis in tacrolimus-treated patients. Herein we have analyzed whether the effect on collagen turnover might be influenced by a therapeutic tacrolimus dose. Human gingival fibroblasts were incubated for 72 hours with 10 nmol/L, 100 nmol/L, and 1 mumol/L tacrolimus, or left untreated (CT). Collagen type I and III (COL-I, COL-III), lysyl hydroxylase 2b (LH2b), MMP-1 and -2, tissue inhibitor of MMP-1 and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) mRNA levels were assayed by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, collagen protein levels by dot blot, and MMP activity by sodium dodecyl sulfate zymography. Tacrolimus did not affect COL-I, COL-III, or MMP gene expression, while LH2b and TGF-beta1 tended to be down-regulated after 1 mumol/L FK506. Conversely, protein levels of MMP-1 (P = NS) and MMP-2 (P < .05 vs CT, 10 nmol/L, 100 nmol/L) were up-regulated after 1 mumol/L tacrolimus. Our findings confirmed that a high dose of tacrolimus does not induce interstitial collagen overexpression by gingival fibroblasts and induces up-regulation of MMPs protein levels. Interestingly, at doses corresponding to whole blood trough levels, tacrolimus did not exert any evident effect on collagen turnover pathways, suggesting that tacrolimus is likely to not affect collagen homeostasis in the gingival connective tissue compartment of FK506-immunosuppressed subjects. This effect did not seem to be dose-dependent.
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PMID:A therapeutic dose of FK506 does not affect collagen turnover pathways in healthy human gingival fibroblasts. 1858 21

Skin aging is characterized by deterioration of the dermal collagen fiber network due to both decreased collagen expression and increased collagenolytic activity. We designed and evaluated in vitro and ex vivo the efficacy of a trifunctional peptide (TFP) to restore collagen and elastin fibers. TFP was constituted of an elastokine motif (VGVAPG)3, able to increase matrix constituent expression through the stimulation of the elastin-binding protein receptor, a GIL tripeptide occupying matrix metalloproteinase-1 subsites, and a RVRL linker domain acting as a competitive substrate for urokinase. The effects of TFP on type I, type III collagens, and elastin expression in dermal fibroblasts were determined by quantitative real-time reverse-transcriptase-PCR and western blotting. TFP's inhibitory capacity against MMP-1, plasmin, and urokinase was assessed using synthetic substrates, immunohistochemistry, and skin tissue sections as natural substrates. A skin explant model was used to recapitulate aging-induced dermal changes along culture extent. Collagen and elastin fiber structure was analyzed by two-photon fluorescence, second harmonic generation, and confocal microscopies. Compared with the different sections constituting the full peptide, we found that TFP activated the production of matrix constituents while inhibiting MMP-1 in vitro and ex vivo. It also induced a proper fiber network organization, reflecting the potency of TFP in skin remodeling and regeneration.
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PMID:Regeneration of human dermis by a multi-headed peptide. 2381 1