Elsevier

Neuroscience Letters

Volume 201, Issue 3, 15 December 1995, Pages 223-226
Neuroscience Letters

Matrix metalloproteinases degrade myelin basic protein

https://doi.org/10.1016/0304-3940(95)12173-0Get rights and content

Abstract

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a group of enzymes responsible for the degradation of interstitial connective tissue and basement membrane. The coding sequences for five of the human MMPs, viz. interstitial collagenase, 72 kDa gelatinase, stromelysin-1, matrilysin and 92 kDa gelatinase, were cloned and expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells, and the proteins purified. The enzymes were compared for their ability to digest myelin basic protein, the major extrinsic membrane protein of central nervous system myelin. The most active on this substrate was 72 kDa gelatinase, followed by stromelysin-1; interstitial collagenase, matrilysin and 92 kDa gelatinase were of comparable but lesser activity. Production of these enzymes by glial or infiltrating inflammatory cells could therefore contribute to demyelination in neuroinflammatory disease.

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We wish to thank Mr G. Catlin and Mr P. Nayee for cloning the MMP cDNAs, Miss J. Ford for the antistromelysin-1 antibody, 10D6, and the British Biotech MMP programme for their contribution to this work.

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