This application is a based on our previously funded 5-year project that generated over 40 peer-reviewed publications. Invasion-promoting, pro-tumorigenic MT1-MMP is implicated as the most important MMP in cancer biology and is known to play specialized roles as a modifier of cell function. There is a consensus among scientists that MT1-MMP is a key player in cell surface proteolytic events. We now know that in multiple model systems MT1-MMP acts as an oncogene, stimulates tumor cell invasion and metastasis, and takes over tumor growth control. In agreement, in humans MT1-MMP activity correlates significantly with metastases, clinical stage, and tumor size. Our knowledge of the MT1-MMP biology, however, is limited as yet especially when compared with the role this proteinase plays in malignancy. As of now, the mechanisms of MT1-MMP activation are not completely understood. As a result of our study we can now suggest that rather than exhibiting a uniform activation pathway in any cell type, invasion-promoting MT1-MMP appears to have an activation mechanism hierarchy. To increase their proteolytic arsenal, tumor cells exploit the mechanism leading to the complete inactivation of the MT1-MMP's autoinhibitory prodomain while in normal cells MT1- MMP activity is controlled by the intact prodomain that is released by furin cleavage alone. As a result, the intact prodomain prevents the potentially damaging function of pro-invasive, pro-tumorigenic MT1-MMP in the normal microenvironment. Autocatalytically activated furin plays an important role in the processing and activation of multiple proproteins including MT1-MMP and MMP-2, the downstream target of MT1-MMP. Because of its importance in cancer, MT1-MMP is a promising drug target in disease and its selective biosensor and inhibitors are urgently needed. Overall, it is obvious that additional work is needed to gain a better understanding of the MT1-MMP structural-functional relationships. Our three Specific Aims, which we have designed to achieve a better understanding of MT1-MMP are: (1) Determine the functional significance of a two-step prodomain processing mechanism of MT1-MMP activation in normal and cancer cells, (2) Design and test efficient and selective, cleavage-activated biosensors of MT1-MMP and furin (an activator of MT1-MMP), and (3) Design and evaluate the anti-tumor activity of the highly selective and potent, active site- targeting, inhibitory Fab/scFv human antibodies to MT1-MMP. The result of our proposed studies will be a thorough understanding of the many roles played by MT1-MMP and its activator, furin. Our program will use an integrated systems approach involving biochemical, molecular, cellular and computer modeling studies. We will also conduct studies using tumor xenografts in mice to validate our results gained in vitro. Our program will result in a refined understanding of how malignant cells traffic from their original location and spread throughout the body. This valuable information will lead directly to the development of novel and effective strategies for the detection, prognosis, and treatment of a broad range of malignancies.

Public Health Relevance

The purpose of the research program is to significantly increase our understanding of the functional role of MT1-MMP, a key proteinase in cancer cell migration and invasion. Our results will provide answers to the fundamental questions about the biochemistry, cell and tumor biology of MT1-MMP and they well may create opportunities to intervene in malignant progression by interfering with the functionality of MT1-MMP and related proteinases.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01CA157328-02
Application #
8270459
Study Section
Tumor Microenvironment Study Section (TME)
Program Officer
Snyderwine, Elizabeth G
Project Start
2011-06-01
Project End
2016-03-31
Budget Start
2012-04-01
Budget End
2013-03-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2012
Total Cost
$380,472
Indirect Cost
$181,272
Name
Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute
Department
Type
DUNS #
020520466
City
La Jolla
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
92037
Remacle, Albert G; Cieplak, Piotr; Nam, Dong Hyun et al. (2017) Selective function-blocking monoclonal human antibody highlights the important role of membrane type-1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) in metastasis. Oncotarget 8:2781-2799
Chernov, Andrei V; Reyes, Leticia; Peterson, Scott et al. (2015) Depletion of CG-Specific Methylation in Mycoplasma hyorhinis Genomic DNA after Host Cell Invasion. PLoS One 10:e0142529
Remacle, Albert G; Kumar, Sonu; Motamedchaboki, Khatereh et al. (2015) Matrix Metalloproteinase (MMP) Proteolysis of the Extracellular Loop of Voltage-gated Sodium Channels and Potential Alterations in Pain Signaling. J Biol Chem 290:22939-44
Chernov, Andrei V; Reyes, Leticia; Xu, Zhenkang et al. (2015) Mycoplasma CG- and GATC-specific DNA methyltransferases selectively and efficiently methylate the host genome and alter the epigenetic landscape in human cells. Epigenetics 10:303-18
Kukreja, Muskan; Shiryaev, Sergey A; Cieplak, Piotr et al. (2015) High-Throughput Multiplexed Peptide-Centric Profiling Illustrates Both Substrate Cleavage Redundancy and Specificity in the MMP Family. Chem Biol 22:1122-33
Alonso, Sergio; Dai, Yuichi; Yamashita, Kentaro et al. (2015) Methylation of MGMT and ADAMTS14 in normal colon mucosa: biomarkers of a field defect for cancerization preferentially targeting elder African-Americans. Oncotarget 6:3420-31
Golubkov, Vladislav S; Strongin, Alex Y (2014) Downstream signaling and genome-wide regulatory effects of PTK7 pseudokinase and its proteolytic fragments in cancer cells. Cell Commun Signal 12:15
Shiryaev, Sergey A; Aleshin, Alexander E; Muranaka, Norihito et al. (2014) Structural and functional diversity of metalloproteinases encoded by the Bacteroides fragilis pathogenicity island. FEBS J 281:2487-502
Ratnikov, Boris I; Cieplak, Piotr; Gramatikoff, Kosi et al. (2014) Basis for substrate recognition and distinction by matrix metalloproteinases. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 111:E4148-55
Remacle, Albert G; Shiryaev, Sergey A; Strongin, Alex Y (2014) Distinct interactions with cellular E-cadherin of the two virulent metalloproteinases encoded by a Bacteroides fragilis pathogenicity island. PLoS One 9:e113896

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