Disease relevance of metalloprotease

• Fragment 29 is 79% identical to a metalloprotease of Erwinia amylovora and 75% identical to the protease C precursor of Erwinia chrysanthemi [1].
• Genetic and biochemical characterization of PrtA, an RTX-like metalloprotease from Photorhabdus [2].
• The metalloprotease also shows a calcium- and temperature-dependent autolysis [2].
• The importance of this enzyme in the pathogenesis of strongyloidiasis is underscored by the observation that invasion by larvae of skin in vitro is prevented by metalloprotease inhibitors [3].

High impact information on metalloprotease

• Correct migration of DTCs requires the mig-17 gene, which encodes a member of the metalloprotease-disintegrin protein family [4].
• A metalloprotease disintegrin that controls cell migration in Caenorhabditis elegans [4].
• These results suggest that the MIG-17 metalloprotease directs migration of DTCs by remodeling the basement membrane [4].
• We have identified four mutant alleles of a Caenorhabditis elegans metalloprotease gene, nas-37, that cause incomplete ecdysis [5].
• A conserved metalloprotease mediates ecdysis in Caenorhabditis elegans [5].

Biological context of metalloprotease

• In C. elegans, the COG complex acts in the glycosylation of an ADAM (a disintegrin and metalloprotease) family protein, MIG-17, which directs migration of gonadal distal tip cells to lead gonad morphogenesis [6].
• We discuss how a metalloprotease may control two aspects of gonadal morphogenesis [7].
• Analysis of the Strongylocentrotus purpuratus genome has revealed approximately 240 metalloprotease genes, and they represent all 23 families expressed in vertebrates [8].
• A protein similar to the mammalian and yeast farnesylated-proteins converting enzyme-1 (FACE-1)/Ste24p CaaX metalloprotease, encoded by a hypothetical gene (CeFACE-1/C04F12.10) found in C. elegans chromosome I, probably accounts for the EDTA-sensitive activity [9].

Anatomical context of metalloprotease

• UNC-71, a disintegrin and metalloprotease (ADAM) protein, regulates motor axon guidance and sex myoblast migration in C. elegans [10].

Associations of metalloprotease with chemical compounds

• A membrane-associated metalloprotease of Taenia solium metacestode structurally related to the FACE-1/Ste24p protease family [11].
• Microfilariae of O. cervicalis and O. cervipedis produced both a serine and a metalloprotease, but the level of protease activity of these microfilariae was substantially lower than that of L3 larvae, and no significant protease activity was detected in extracts of O. lienalis microfilariae [12].

Other interactions of metalloprotease

• We report the characterization of the Caenorhabditis elegans gene dpy-31, which encodes the first essential astacin metalloprotease identified in this organism [13].
• Parallel studies have shown that gon-1 encodes a secreted metalloprotease (R. Blelloch and J. Kimble, 1999, Nature 399, 586-590) [7].

Analytical, diagnostic and therapeutic context of metalloprotease

• Sequence analysis identified the cDNAs as encoding zinc-metalloproteases, which showed between 62% and 70% homology to a metalloprotease 1 precursor of Ancylostoma caninum [14].

References