Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts: Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound   Target Concepts: Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound

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Query: EC:3.4.21.7 (plasmin)
9,023 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The sequence of events within the ovary during the process of ovulation discussed in this review is schematically represented in Fig. 1. It is obvious that LH, perhaps with some contribution from FSH, is the normal physiological trigger for the ovulatory sequence of events, and it appears from the available information that the effects of LH are mainly mediated via adenylate cyclase and increased cAMP levels. The cAMP in turn, via cAMP-dependent protein kinase, influences at least three distinct steps in the ovulatory process which seem to be of crucial importance, namely 1) the stimulation of steroidogenesis; 2) the stimulation of cyclooxygenase/lipooxygenase leading to increased prostaglandin/leukotriene synthesis; and 3) the stimulation of plasminogen activator which catalyzes the conversion of plasminogen to plasmin. A fourth crucial step in the ovulatory mechanism is the LH-induced increase in latent collagenase, but it remains to be determined if this step is mediated via cAMP. Concomitant with the increase in latent collagenase, there also appears to be an LH-dependent increase in collagenase inhibitors. The latent collagenase is then activated, and it appears that leukotrienes and prostaglandins, as well as plasmin, may be involved in this process. The active collagenase causes a digestion of the collagen in the follicle wall, and plasmin, as well as possibly other proteolytic enzymes such as proteoglycanases, may cause a further dissociation of the follicular wall. These processes of digestion of collagen and dissociation of the collagen fibers result in an opening in the follicular wall with the formation of the stigma and rupture. While the weakening of the follicular wall takes place throughout the entire wall, rupture remains for the most part a localized process at the apex of the follicle. This localization of the rupture may be explained on the basis of mechanical factors operating when the follicle wall thins and weakens. While it is clear that prostaglandins and leukotrienes can influence smooth muscle by causing contractions and that these compounds can cause vascular changes such as increased permeability, vasodilation, and vasoconstriction, it is not clear what the exact role of these latter processes are in ovulation. It appears that progesterone and not estrogen play an important role in the mechanism of LH-induced follicular rupture, but the locus of action of progesterone and its mechanism of action remains to be determined.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
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PMID:Mechanism of mammalian ovulation. 255 97

The sequence of ovarian events during the process of ovulation discussed in this review is schematically represented in Figure 1. It is obvious that LH, perhaps with some contribution from FSH, is the normal physiological trigger for the ovulatory sequence of events and it appears from the available information that LH's effects are mainly mediated via adenylate cyclase and increased cAMP. The cAMP in turn, via cAMP-dependent protein kinase, influences at least three distinct steps in the ovulatory process which seem to be of crucial importance, namely 1) the stimulation of steroidogenesis; 2) the stimulation of cyclooxygenase/lipooxygenase leading to increased prostaglandin/leukotriene synthesis; and 3) the stimulation of plasminogen activator which catalyzes the conversion of plasminogen to plasmin. A fourth crucial step in the ovulatory mechanism is the LH-induced increase in latent collagenase, but it remains to be determined if this step is mediated via cAMP. Concomitant with the increase in latent collagenase, there also appears to be an LH-dependent increase in collagenase inhibitors. The latent collagenase is then activated and it appears that leukotrienes and prostaglandins as well as plasmin may be involved in this process. The active collagenase causes a digestion of the collagen in the follicle wall. Plasmin as well as possibly other proteolytic enzymes such as proteoglycanases (Too et al., 1984) may cause a further dissociation of the follicular wall. These processes of digestion of collagen and dissociation of the collagen fibers result in an opening in the follicular wall with the formation of the stigma and rupture. While the weakening of the follicular wall takes place throughout the entire wall, rupture remains for the most part a localized process at the apex of the follicle. This localization of the rupture may be explained on the basis of mechanical factors operating when the follicle wall thins and weakens (Rodbard, 1984). While it is clear that prostaglandins and leukotrienes can influence smooth muscle by causing contractions and that these compounds can cause vascular changes such as increased permeability, vasodilatation and vasoconstriction, it is not clear what the exact role of these latter processes are in ovulation. It appears that progesterone and not estrogen play an important role in the mechanism of LH induced follicular rupture, but the locus of action of progesterone and its mechanism of action remains to be determined.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
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PMID:Mechanism of mammalian ovulation. 265 83

The localization and time-related production of plasminogen activator (PA) by ovarian granulosa cells was studied by measuring the plasmin-mediated lysis of the chromogenic substrate H-D-norleucyl-hexahydrotyrosyl-lysine-p-nitroanilide diacetate. Granulosa cells from diethylstilbestrol-implanted immature rats produced both a cell-associated and a secreted PA, as indicated by increased hydrolysis of the substrate by the cells or extracellular medium. The formation of cellular PA was induced by FSH and was detectable as early as 2 h during a 72-h culture, with 80% of the maximal activity present by 6 h. In contrast, negligible PA activity was detected in the extracellular medium until 6-20 h of culture, after which time the secreted PA activity continued to rise throughout the 72-h culture period. Control cells also produced both cellular and secreted PA, but in lower amounts than cells stimulated by FSH. The presence of cellular PA was further indicated by a 2-fold rise in PA activity after solubilization of granulosa cells with increasing concentrations of the detergent Triton X-100. However, freshly prepared granulosa cells had no detectable PA activity in the absence or presence of detergent, suggesting that the PA was synthesized during culture. Actinomycin D and cycloheximide suppressed cellular PA production when added during the first hours of granulosa cell culture, but had little effect when added from 44-48 h of culture. In contrast, both actinomycin D and cycloheximide reduced secreted PA activity from 44-48 h. The expression of cellular PA activity was only partially dependent on the presence of fibrin, while the secreted PA fully required fibrin. These results demonstrate gonadotropin-regulated production of both cellular and secreted types of PA by granulosa cells. The cellular form is produced in the first hours of culture when it is sensitive to macromolecule synthesis inhibitors and is partially dependent on fibrin. The extracellular PA is predominantly secreted after the first 24 h of culture and requires fibrin for its activity. The differential activities of the two types of PA may be involved in the control of hormone-induced processes during granulosa cell differentiation.
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PMID:Production of a cell-associated and secreted plasminogen activator by cultured rat granulosa cells. 293 43

Plasminogen activators convert plasminogen into plasmin, a serine protease that initiates extracellular proteolysis. Two types of plasminogen activator activities have recently been demonstrated in granulosa cells, and the proteolysis-inducing enzymes are believed to be involved in ovulation. However, little attention has been paid to the presence of these enzymes in oocytes. Using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis followed by a fibrin overlay technique, we studied plasminogen activator activity in oocytes. Denuded oocytes collected from ovaries of hypophysectomized, estrogen-treated immature rats contained a tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA), but not urokinase (uPA). In contrast, oocyte-free granulosa cells in these preantral follicles contained uPA, but not tPA. The tPA activity found in oocytes was plasminogen-dependent; incubation with increasing numbers (25-200) of denuded oocytes resulted in a dose-dependent increase in fibrinolysis only in the presence of plasminogen. Cellular localization of tPA was studied in the preantral follicles using an immuno-cytochemical method. Positive tPA staining was detected in the cytoplasm, but not in the germinal vesicle or zona pellucida of the oocytes. Furthermore, analysis using a reverse fibrin-overlay method did not reveal the presence of a plasminogen activator inhibitor. Culturing of denuded oocytes for 24 h increased the cellular content of tPA, but the enzyme activity was not further enhanced by treatment with FSH or forskolin. Also, no tPA activity was detected in the medium. We further studied plasminogen activator activities in the cumulus-oocyte complexes. Although only tPA activity was detected in freshly obtained cumulus-oocyte complexes, incubation for 24 h increased both tPA and uPA activity. Furthermore, tPA, but not uPA, activity was stimulated by treatment with FSH or forskolin. This was accompanied by the secretion of tPA into the medium. The identity of tPA and uPA in the cumulus-oocyte complexes was further confirmed by immunoprecipitation with specific antibodies. Isolation of denuded oocytes and cumulus cells after hormonal stimulation of the cumulus-oocyte complexes suggested that tPA activity was stimulated in both cell types and that the cumulus cells may mediate the action of FSH and forskolin on oocytes. In conclusion, the detection and regulation of tPA activity in cumulus-oocyte complexes suggest possible involvement of this enzyme in ovulation or the process of cumulus cell expansion and dispersion. Changes in oocyte tPA content may also serve as an indicator of oocyte development.
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PMID:Identification and regulation of tissue plasminogen activator activity in rat cumulus-oocyte complexes. 309 95

Three events lead to the ovulation of a normal oocyte: cytological and biochemical changes in the follicle wall, disintegration of the follicle apex and oocyte maturation. The remodelling of the follicle wall results from plasmin and collagenase activities. The thinning of the follicular apex, in addition to these enzymes, involves hydrolases liberated by dying ovarian epithelial cells. PGF2 alpha and histamine are also involved but it is not known precisely how they contribute to the apical dissociation. The nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation of the oocyte is highly dependent on the synthetic activities of granulosa cells which are regulated by LH and FSH. The pulsatile secretion of these gonadotrophins is not necessary for the final phase of Graafian follicle growth and rupture. Why high levels of gonadotrophins, normally reached during the preovulatory surge, completely change the structure and the biochemical activities of all follicular compartments remains unknown and in fact has never been studied. Moreover, there is very little information concerning the mechanisms involved both in the increase of blood flow during the LH surge and later in the blood stasis at the follicular apex. Steroids, whatever their levels and ratio, are of little if any concern in follicle rupture and nuclear maturation. However, their importance has been clearly demonstrated in the cytoplasmic maturation of the oocyte of some species.
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PMID:Ovulation. 313 95

Production of plasminogen activator (PA) by granulosa cells (GC) and its stimulation by gonadotropins led to the suggestion that PA is involved in ovulation. However, whereas only LH may be regarded as the ovulation-inducing hormone in the rat, FSH was found to be much more potent than LH in enhancing PA production by GC. Assuming that the entire follicular wall, rather than isolated GC, is involved in follicular rupture, we have examined activity of PA in intact follicles. LH (NIH-LH-S23) was 5-fold more potent than FSH (NIH-FSH-S14), and purified ovine LH and FSH were equally potent in enhancing follicular PA activity. Furthermore, injection into the ovarian bursa of proestrous rats of epsilon-amino-caproic acid and benzamidine (0.05-0.25 mmol), inhibitors of serine proteases, including PA and plasmin, resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of ovulation without causing changes discernible by histological examinations of the ovaries. Whereas steroids did not change basal follicular PA production in culture, addition of estradiol-17 beta [(E2) 1 microgram/ml] but not progesterone or testosterone, further enhanced LH-stimulated PA. Aminoglutethimide phosphate (10(-3) M) and 17 beta-formamidoandrost-4-en-3-one inhibited LH-induced increase in follicular PA and this inhibition was reversed by addition of E2. Intrabursal injection of indomethacin, an inhibitor of cyclooxygenase, and of nordihydroguaiaretic acid, an inhibitor of lipoxygenase pathway of arachidonic acid metabolism at doses which effectively blocked ovulation (0.3 mg/bursa) had no effect on PA content of the follicles. Likewise, indomethacin (10 microM) and nordihydroguaiaretic acid (100 microM) did not affect LH-stimulated PA in vitro. In conclusion, LH, the physiological trigger of ovulation is, at least, as potent as FSH in stimulating follicular PA activity. The role of serine proteases, most probably of PA and plasmin, in ovulation is further corroborated by a pharmacological approach. LH stimulation of follicular PA appears to be enhanced by E2 but is not mediated by arachidonic acid metabolites.
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PMID:Follicular plasminogen activator: involvement in ovulation. 391 2

Ovulation, recurring every midcycle of the mammalian female and triggered by a surge of luteinizing hormone (LH) released from the pituitary, is an essential prerequisite for fertilization and subsequent embryonic development. Here we shall describe two of the biological components of the ovulatory response, cumulus expansion (frequently denoted as cumulus maturation) and the rupture of follicular wall, both crucial for the release of a fertilizable ovum. The role of a proteolytic cascade and its regulation by eicosanoids will be emphasized in relation to follicle rupture. The new data implicating cumulus maturation as an essential step for the release of the ovum and the apparent mediatory role of interleukin-1 in this process will be presented. LH/hCG stimulates, in the preovulatory follicles, a cascade of proteolytic enzymes, including plasminogen activator (PA), plasmin and matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1). These enzymes bring about the degradation of perifollicular matrix and, most notably, the decomposition of the meshwork of collagen fibers which provides the strength to follicular wall. Furthermore, pharmacological blockage of any of these enzymes resulted in inhibition of follicle rupture. LH/hCG stimulates, in addition, an increase in ovarian production of eicosanoids. These include prostaglandins, obtained from arachidonic acid via the cyclooxygenase pathway and leukotrienes, the products of lipoxygenase. Previous studies from our and other laboratories have demonstrated the ability of inhibitors of cyclooxygenase and of lipoxygenases to suppress ovulation in several mammalian species. MK-886, which inhibits the translocation of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) from the cytosol and its binding to the membranal 5-LO activating enzyme, suppressed dose-dependently follicular rupture from the treated ovary. Zymographic analysis of ovarian extracts from PMSG/hCG-stimulated rats revealed a band of collagenolytic activity at 52kD, corresponding to human MMP-1 and at 72kD, corresponding to human MMP-2. Both activities were markedly stimulated by administration of hCG and were significantly inhibited by indomethacin, NDGA or MK-886. Thus, eicosanoids seem to mediate LH stimulation of follicular collagenase. Interleukin-1 (IL-1) has been recently implicated in ovulation. The ability of an IL-1 receptor antagonist (ra) to block ovulation in vivo and in vitro has been demonstrated recently. Morphological examination of the ovulatory follicles failing to ovulate suggests that this effect is exerted by inhibiting cumulus oophorus expansion and detachment from mural granulosa cells. In vitro, IL-1ra attenuated the action of hCG and FSH on cumulus expansion and follicular hyaluronic acid synthesis. Thus, IL-1 seems to mediate and/or facilitate gonadotropin action on cumulus expansion, and hence on ovulation.
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PMID:Ovulation as a tissue remodelling process. Proteolysis and cumulus expansion. 748 19

Porcine ovarian granulosa cells in culture secrete glycosylated insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3), which inhibits gonadotropin and IGF action in the ovary. Synthesis of IGFBP-3 is stimulated by IGF-I and attenuated by gonadotropin. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether IGFBP-3 levels were also regulated via proteolysis. Exogenously added nonglycosylated recombinant human IGFBP-3 (rhIGFBP-3) was significantly degraded over time by a soluble serine-specific protease, similar to plasmin, in control cultures and those treated with FSH, insulin, or several other classes of hormones. In contrast, degradation was greatly attenuated by the IGFs. Degraded rhIGFBP-3 exhibited much reduced affinity for [125I]IGF-II, suggesting that degradation could make available IGFs for cellular interaction. The mechanism of IGFBP-3 protease inhibition by IGFs is unclear. Mediation by IGF receptors is unlikely, as insulin at a dose that activated both insulin and type I IGF receptors did not alter intrinsic degradation of IGFBP-3 (as does IGF). Additionally, IGF-I attenuation of IGFBP-3 degradation was not inhibited by antagonism of receptor action with a tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Further, IGF-I inhibited degradation in cell-free conditioned medium. Direct stabilization of IGFBP-3 via binding of IGFs was suggested from these results. However, long R3 IGF-I attenuated IGFBP-3 degradation even though it has low affinity for IGFBPs. Inhibition of the protease by IGFs is also possible. We conclude that IGFs inhibit the degradation of exogenous nonglycosylated rhIGFBP-3. If active in vivo, this may serve to increase endogenous IGFBP-3 levels in follicular fluid.
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PMID:Proteolytic degradation of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-binding protein-3 by porcine ovarian granulosa cells in culture: regulation by IGF-I. 750 9

We investigated the effect of gonadotropins on protease that were suggested to be implicated in the invasive activity of the trophoblast. hCG levels ranging from 10 x 10(3) to 333 x 10(3) IU/L produced a dose-dependent inhibition of the in vitro globinolytic activity of the purified proteases trypsin, chymotrypsin, and urokinase, but failed to inhibit plasmin, collagenase, elastase, and tissue-type plasminogen activator. Likewise, FSH inhibited purified trypsin and urokinase, but not plasmin or tissue-type plasminogen activator. Culture medium conditioned with human trophoblast displayed serine protease and urokinase-like activities; exposure of the cultured trophoblast to exogenous hCG markedly suppressed serine protease and urokinase activities in the conditioned medium. A short treatment of the conditioned medium with trypsin abolished the hCG-mediated inhibition of urokinase activity. The present findings offer an explanation for earlier observations that hCG reduced collagenase activity in trophoblasts without affecting the level of collagenase-specific mRNA. The present results are also consistent with the concept that hCG, by its direct ability to inhibit certain serine proteases and urokinase in trophoblast, suppresses a protease-mediated conversion of procollagenase to active collagenase. The ability of hCG to prevent initiation of the collagenolytic cascade suggests that gonadotropins may regulate the transient invasive activity of the trophoblast.
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PMID:Gonadotropin-mediated inhibition of proteolytic enzymes produced by human trophoblast in culture. 768 89

Previous studies established the existence of an FSH-inducible rat granulosa cell-derived insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP)-5 endopeptidase. It was the objective of this communication to characterize this activity in some detail. Exposure of [125I]rhIGFBP-5 substrate to media conditioned by FSH-treated granulosa cells (a cell-free assay) produced two rhIGFBP-5 cleavage products (estimated size 19.5 and 17.5 kDa). The acquisition of IGFBP-5 endopeptidase activity in culture proved FSH (or PMSG) to be dose and time dependent. The addition of oFSH or rhFSH to the cell-free assay in turn, proved without effect on IGFBP-5 endopeptidase activity, thereby arguing against the possibility of an FSH receptor-independent phenomenon or of contaminating pituitary-derived contribution. The ability of FSH to induce IGFBP-5 endopeptidase activity proved relatively specific in that other granulosa cell agonists such as activin-A, IGF-I, GnRH, interleukin-1beta, TNF alpha, TGF beta1, EGF, or endothelin-1 failed to do so. However, the concurrent provision of GnRH, TNF alpha, EGF, or endothelin-1 proved inhibitory to the IGFBP-5 endopeptidase-inducing property of FSH. Activin-A and TGF beta1 in turn further stimulated the FSH effect. Sensitivity to EDTA, 1,10 phenanthroline, and high concentrations (> or = 0.1 mM) of Zn2+ suggested a Zn2+ metalloprotease. Insensitivity to TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 argued against a matrix metalloprotease (MMP). Relative insensitivity to PMSF, AMPSF, aprotinin, TPCK, and benzamidine argued against the possibility of a serine protease. Insensitivity to pepstatin A and E64 argued against aspartic and cysteine proteases, respectively. Insensitivity to plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and the presumed lack of free plasminogen in serum-free culture media argued against plasmin. Proteolysis was completely inhibited over the acid pH range but proceeded unencumbered at neutral and basic pH. Competition studies using unlabeled IGFBPs (1-6) as well as cell-free proteolysis assays of [125I]-labeled IGFBP-1, 2, 3, and 6 suggested a significant level of specificity for the FSH-induced/IGFBP-5-directed endopeptidase. Centricon-mediated fractionation of FSH-conditioned media revealed the IGFBP-5 endopeptidase activity in the fraction representing proteins of molecular weight >100K. Taken together, these observations document a secreted, granulosa cell-derived, high molecular weight, FSH-inducible, IGFBP-5-selective, neutral/basic pH-favoring, non-MMP Zn2+ metalloprotease.
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PMID:Characterization and hormonal regulation of a rat ovarian insulin-like growth factor binding protein-5 endopeptidase: an FSH-inducible granulosa cell-derived metalloprotease. 949 60


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