A proprotein convertase/MMP-14 proteolytic cascade releases a novel 40 kDa vasculostatin from tumor suppressor BAI1.

Abstract

Brain-specific angiogenesis inhibitor 1 (BAI1), an orphan G protein-coupled receptor-type seven transmembrane protein, was recently found mutated or silenced in multiple human cancers and can interfere with tumor growth when overexpressed. Yet, little is known about its regulation and the molecular mechanisms through which this novel tumor suppressor exerts its anti-cancer effects. Here, we demonstrate that the N terminus of BAI1 is cleaved extracellularly to generate a truncated receptor and a 40-kDa fragment (Vasculostatin-40) that inhibits angiogenesis. We demonstrate that this novel proteolytic processing event depends on a two-step cascade of protease activation: proprotein convertases, primarily furin, activate latent matrix metalloproteinase-14, which then directly cleaves BAI1 to release the bioactive fragment. These findings significantly augment our knowledge of BAI1 by showing a novel post-translational mechanism regulating BAI1 activity through cancer-associated proteases, have important implications for BAI1 function and regulation, and present novel opportunities for therapy of cancer and other vascular diseases.

• Authors: S M Cork, B Kaur, N S Devi, L Cooper, J H Saltz, E M Sandberg, S Kaluz, E G Van Meir
• Journal: Oncogene (Oncogene) Vol. 31 Issue 50 Pg. 5144-52 (Dec 13 2012) ISSN: 1476-5594 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 22330140 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• ADGRB1 protein, human
• Angiogenesis Inhibitors
• Angiogenic Proteins
• Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
• Peptide Hydrolases
• Proprotein Convertases
• Furin
• MMP14 protein, human
• Matrix Metalloproteinase 14

Topics

• Angiogenesis Inhibitors (metabolism)
• Angiogenic Proteins (genetics, metabolism)
• Brain Neoplasms (blood supply, genetics, metabolism)
• Cell Line, Tumor
• Furin (metabolism)
• Genes, Tumor Suppressor
• Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (cytology)
• Humans
• Matrix Metalloproteinase 14 (metabolism)
• Neovascularization, Pathologic (metabolism)
• Peptide Hydrolases (metabolism)
• Proprotein Convertases (metabolism)
• Protein Processing, Post-Translational
• Proteolysis
• Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled