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Cultured fibroblasts secrete an 88-kDa serine protease that cleaves insulin-like growth factor binding protein-5 (IGFBP-5). Because IGFBP-5 has been shown to regulate IGF-I actions, understanding the chemical identity and regulation of this protease is important for understanding how IGF-I stimulates anabolic functions. The protease was purified from human fibroblast-conditioned medium by hydrophobic interaction, lectin affinity, and heparin Sepharose affinity chromatography followed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. An 88-kDa band was excised and digested with lysyl-endopeptidase. Sequencing of the high pressure liquid chromatography-purified peptides yielded the complement components C1r and C1s. To confirm that C1r/C1s accounted for the proteolytic activity in the medium, immunoaffinity chromatography was performed. Most of the protease activity adhered to the column, and the eluant was fully active in cleaving IGFBP-5. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with silver staining showed two bands, and IGFBP-5 zymography showed a single 88-kDa band. Amino acid sequencing confirmed that the 88-kDa band contained only C1r and C1s. C1r in the fibroblast medium underwent autoactivation, and the activated form cleaved C1s. C1s purified from the conditioned medium cleaved C 4 , a naturally occurring substrate. The purified protease cleaved IGFBP-5 but had no activity against IGFBP-1 through -4. C1 inhibitor, a protein known to inhibit activated C1s, was shown to inhibit the cleavage of IGFBP-5 by the protease in the conditioned medium. In summary, human fibroblasts secrete C1r and C1s that actively cleave IGFBP-5. The findings define a mechanism for cleaving IGFBP-5 in the culture medium, thus allowing release of IGF-I to cell surface receptors.

Mechanosensitive ion channels are crucial for normal cell function and facilitate physiological function, such as blood pressure regulation. So far little is known about the molecular mechanisms of how channels sense mechanical force. Canonical vertebrate epithelial Na+channel (ENaC) formed by α-, β-, and γ-subunits is a shear force (SF) sensor and a member of the ENaC/degenerin protein family. ENaC activity in epithelial cells contributes to electrolyte/fluid-homeostasis and blood pressure regulation. Furthermore, ENaC in endothelial cells mediates vascular responsiveness to regulate blood pressure. Here, we provide evidence that ENaC’s ability to mediate SF responsiveness relies on the “force-from-filament” principle involving extracellular tethers and the extracellular matrix (ECM). Two glycosylated asparagines, respectively theirN-glycans localized in the palm and knuckle domains of αENaC, were identified as potential tethers. Decreased SF-induced ENaC currents were observed following removal of the ECM/glycocalyx, replacement of these glycosylated asparagines, or removal ofN-glycans. Endothelial-specific overexpression of αENaC in mice induced hypertension. In contrast, expression of αENaC lacking these glycosylated asparagines blunted this effect. In summary, glycosylated asparagines in the palm and knuckle domains of αENaC are important for SF sensing. In accordance with the force-from-filament principle, they may provide a connection to the ECM that facilitates vascular responsiveness contributing to blood pressure regulation.

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