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Article
Modulation of RECK levels in Xenopus A6 cells: effects on MT1-MMP, MMP-2 and pERK levels
Journal of Biological Research (Greece)
  • Jessica A. Willson, Western University
  • Bradley S. Bork, Western University
  • Carlie A. Muir, Western University
  • Sashko Damjanovski, Western University
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
11-27-2019
URL with Digital Object Identifier
10.1186/s40709-019-0108-8
Abstract

Background: MT1-MMP is a cell-surface enzyme whose regulation of pro-MMP-2 and ERK activation position it as a key facilitator of ECM remodelling and cell migration. These processes are modulated by endogenous MMP inhibitors, such as RECK, a GPI-anchored protein which has been shown to inhibit both MT1-MMP and MMP-2 activity. Our previous studies have revealed a link between MT1-MMP levels, and pro-MMP-2 and ERK activation in mammalian cells, as well as MT1-MMP and RECK co-localization in Xenopus embryos. We here investigated how modulation of RECK would impact MT1-MMP and MMP-2 levels, as well as ERK signalling in Xenopus A6 cells. Results: We used a Morpholino approach to knockdown RECK, plasmid transfection to overexpress RECK, and PI-PLC treatment to shed RECK from the cell surface of Xenopus A6 cells. RECK reduction did not alter pERK or MT1-MMP levels, nor MMP-2 activity as measured by zymography; thus RECK-knockdown cells maintained the ability to remodel the ECM. RECK overexpression and PI-PLC treatment both increased ECM remodelling potential through increased MT1-MMP protein and relative MMP-2 activation levels. Conclusions: RECK changes that reduce the ability of the cell to remodel the ECM (overexpression and cell surface shedding) are compensated for by increases in MT1-MMP, and MMP-2 levels as seen by zymography.

Citation Information
Jessica A. Willson, Bradley S. Bork, Carlie A. Muir and Sashko Damjanovski. "Modulation of RECK levels in Xenopus A6 cells: effects on MT1-MMP, MMP-2 and pERK levels" Journal of Biological Research (Greece) Vol. 26 Iss. 1 (2019)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/sashko-damjanovski/9/