Verbatim): This research program focuses on the function of alpha2-macroglobulin (a2M) as a regulator of growth factor activity. a2M binds diverse growth factors with limited sequence identity, including transforming growth factor-n (TGFB), platelet-derived growth factor-beta (PDGF-beta), and nerve growth factor-B (NGF-f3). In cell culture, a2M antagonizes growth factor activity. Similar interactions may explain abnormalities in a2M gene knock-out mice that are challenged with inflammatory stimuli. By analyzing a library of a2M peptide-GST fusion proteins, we identified a sequence (an 591-774), near the center of the a2M subunit that binds TGF-B, PDGF-BB, and NGF-B with high affinity. A 16-amino acid peptide (P3) that binds both TGF-beta and PDGF-BB was subsequently identified. In the next five years, our major objectives are: to fully characterize a2M-growth factor interactions on a molecular level; to determine whether the function of a2M as a growth factor-binding protein is responsible for abnormalities in the a2M gene knock-out mouse; and to explore strategies for using our novel growth factor-binding peptides as therapeutics in cancer.
Four specific aims are proposed.
In Specific Aim 1, the function of P3 and related peptides as regulators of growth factor activity will be determined.
In Specific Aim 2, the sequence of human aM will be modified by site-directed mutagenesis to determine the function of the P3 region in the intact protein.
In Specific Aim 3, novel transgenic mice that express mutated forms of murinoglobulin will be generated. Crossbreeding experiments will then be performed with the a2M gene knock-out mouse to determine whether the phenotype of the a2M gene knock-out mouse can be rescued by reversing the deficiency in growth factor regulation. Finally, in aim 4, we will assess the ability of naturally-occurring a2M and a2M-derived growth factor-binding peptides to limit cancer growth and metastasis. The emerging function of a2M as a regulator of diverse growth factors indicates that this protein may have undiscovered activities in a variety of disease states. The combination of approaches proposed here, including molecular analyses and physiology studies, offers the opportunity to elucidate the function of a2M in various diseases including cancer and to exploit this knowledge in rational drug design.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01CA053462-12
Application #
6633041
Study Section
Hematology Subcommittee 2 (HEM)
Program Officer
Perry, Mary Ellen
Project Start
1992-08-01
Project End
2006-05-31
Budget Start
2003-06-01
Budget End
2004-05-31
Support Year
12
Fiscal Year
2003
Total Cost
$244,897
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Virginia
Department
Pathology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
065391526
City
Charlottesville
State
VA
Country
United States
Zip Code
22904
Arandjelovic, Sanja; Dragojlovic, Nikola; Li, Xiaoqing et al. (2007) A derivative of the plasma protease inhibitor alpha(2)-macroglobulin regulates the response to peripheral nerve injury. J Neurochem 103:694-705
Arandjelovic, Sanja; Van Sant, Cristina L; Gonias, Steven L (2006) Limited mutations in full-length tetrameric human alpha2-macroglobulin abrogate binding of platelet-derived growth factor-BB and transforming growth factor-beta1. J Biol Chem 281:17061-8
Mettenburg, Joseph M; Gonias, Steven L (2005) Beta-amyloid peptide binds equivalently to binary and ternary alpha2-macroglobulin-protease complexes. Protein J 24:89-93
Mettenburg, Joseph M; Arandjelovic, Sanja; Gonias, Steven L (2005) A chemically modified preparation of alpha2-macroglobulin binds beta-amyloid peptide with increased affinity and inhibits Abeta cytotoxicity. J Neurochem 93:53-62
Arandjelovic, Sanja; Hall, Brian D; Gonias, Steven L (2005) Mutation of lysine 1370 in full-length human alpha2-macroglobulin blocks binding to the low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein-1. Arch Biochem Biophys 438:29-35
Gonias, Steven L; Wu, Lihua; Salicioni, Ana Maria (2004) Low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein: regulation of the plasma membrane proteome. Thromb Haemost 91:1056-64
Arandjelovic, Sanja; Freed, Tiffany A; Gonias, Steven L (2003) Growth factor-binding sequence in human alpha2-macroglobulin targets the receptor-binding site in transforming growth factor-beta. Biochemistry 42:6121-7
Hope, Caroline; Mettenburg, Joseph; Gonias, Steven L et al. (2003) Functional analysis of plasma alpha(2)-macroglobulin from Alzheimer's disease patients with the A2M intronic deletion. Neurobiol Dis 14:504-12
Mathew, Smitha; Arandjelovic, Sanja; Beyer, Wayne F et al. (2003) Characterization of the interaction between alpha2-macroglobulin and fibroblast growth factor-2: the role of hydrophobic interactions. Biochem J 374:123-9
Mettenburg, Joseph M; Webb, Donna J; Gonias, Steven L (2002) Distinct binding sites in the structure of alpha 2-macroglobulin mediate the interaction with beta-amyloid peptide and growth factors. J Biol Chem 277:13338-45

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