Tumour-necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is a cytokine that contributes to a variety of inflammatory disease states. The protein exists as a membrane-bound precursor of relative molecular mass 26K which can be processed by a TNF-alpha-converting enzyme (TACE), to generate secreted 17K mature TNF-alpha. We have purified TACE and cloned its complementary DNA. TACE is a membrane-bound disintegrin metalloproteinase. Structural comparisons with other disintegrin-containing enzymes indicate that TACE is unique, with noteable sequence identity to MADM, an enzyme implicated in myelin degradation, and to KUZ, a Drosophila homologue of MADM important for neuronal development. The expression of recombinant TACE (rTACE) results in the production of functional enzyme that correctly processes precursor TNF-alpha to the mature form. The rTACE provides a readily available source of enzyme to help in the search for new anti-inflammatory agents that target the final processing stage of TNF-alpha production.

Tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is a potent pro-inflammatory agent produced primarily by activated monocytes and macrophages. TNF-alpha is synthesized as a precursor protein of M(r) 26,000 (26K) which is processed to a secreted 17K mature form by cleavage of an Ala-Val bond between residues 76-77. The enzyme(s) responsible for processing pro-TNF-alpha has yet to be identified. Here, we describe the capacity of a metalloproteinase inhibitor, GI 129471, to block TNF-alpha secretion both in vitro and in vivo. The inhibition is specific to TNF-alpha; the production of other secreted cytokines, such as the interleukins IL-1 beta, IL-2, or IL-6, is not inhibited. The mechanism of inhibition occurs at a post-translational step in TNF-alpha production. Our data suggest that TNF-alpha processing is mediated by a unique Zn2+ endopeptidase which is inhibited by GI 129471 and would represent a novel target for therapeutic intervention in TNF-alpha associated pathologies.

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A number of known prenylated flavonoids were isolated from Psoralea corylifolia using an assay procedure based on inhibition of the mutagenic action of 2-aminoanthracene on Salmonella typhimurium (T-98). All of these compounds were toxic rather than antimutagenic or desmutagenic. Bakuchiol [17], a known prenylated phenolic terpene, was also isolated; its activity was not due to toxicity. Biochanin A [4], a known isoflavone, was similarly isolated from Cicer arientinum and was active and nontoxic. Some of the above flavonoids were studied for inhibition of the mutagenicity of several different mutagens with results depending upon the structure of the flavonoid and the mutagen.

Several coumarins were isolated from crude plant extracts by means of an antimutagenic assay procedure. These coumarins included psoralen from Psoralea corylifolia and imperatorin and osthol from Selinum monniere. Studies of structure-activity relationships of these and several other available coumarins were carried out with four mutagens. All of the coumarins were nontoxic and in particular showed high activity in the inhibition of the mutagenicity of benzoMpyrene.Coumarins are one of the most common plant secondary metabolites, over 800 being reported in a comprehensive survey (2). Recently there has been considerable interest in the anticarcinogenic or antimutagenic activity of some of these compounds.