Abstract
NEUTRAL collagenases are specific collagen-degrading enzymes which can be identified and isolated from the media of a wide variety of human tissues in culture. In vivo the enzymes function extracellularly at neutral pH and probably have a crucial role in the catabolism of collagen. Evidence for the involvement of the enzymes in diseases characterised by disordered collagen metabolism is substantial but our understanding of the mechanism of regulation of extracellular collagenase activity is poor. Since the specific inhibition of collagenase might offer a therapeutic approach to some connective tissue diseases we have attempted to identify the natural inhibitors of this enzyme in human serum. We report here our finding of a β1 serum protein which specifically inhibits human collagenase. Because of its small molecular size (molecular weight about 40,000) this inhibitor may be important in the regulation of tissue collagenase activity.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Harris, E. D., and Krane, S. M., New Eng. J. Med., 291, 557–563 (1974).
Eisen, A. Z., Bauer, E. A., and Jeffrey, J. J., J. invest. Derm., 55, 359–373 (1970).
Woolley, D. E., Roberts, D. R., and Evanson, J. M., Biochem. biophys. Res. Commun., 66, 747–754 (1975).
Evanson, J. M., Jeffrey, J. J., and Krane, S. M., J. clin. Invest., 47, 2639–2651 (1968).
Sakamoto, S., Goldhaber, P., and Glimcher, M. J., Calc. Tiss. Res., 10, 280–288 (1972).
Werb, Z., Burleigh, M. C., Barratt, A. J., and Starkey, P. M., Biochem. J., 139, 359–368 (1974).
Berman, M. B., Gordon, J., Garcia, L. A., and Gage, J., Expl Eye Res., 20, 231–244 (1975).
Barratt, A. J., and Starkey, P. M., Biochem. J., 133, 709–724 (1973).
Jones, J. M., Creeth, J. M., and Kekwick, R. A., Biochem. J., 127, 187–197 (1972).
Bauer, E. A., Eisen, A. Z., and Jeffrey, J. J., J. invest. Derm., 59, 50–55 (1972).
Berman, M. B., Barber, J. C., Talamo, R. C., and Langley, C. E., Invest. Ophthal., 12, 759–770 (1973).
Woolley, D. E., Tucker, J. S., Green, G., and Evanson, J. M., Biochem. J., 153, 119–126 (1976).
Krane, S. M., in Dynamics of Connective Tissue Macromolecules (edit. by Burleigh, P. M. C., and Poole, A. R.), 309–326 (North-Holland, Amsterdam 1975).
Barratt, A. J., Biochem. J. 117, 601–607 (1970).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
WOOLLEY, D., ROBERTS, D. & EVANSON, J. Small molecular weight β1 serum protein which specifically inhibits human collagenases. Nature 261, 325–327 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1038/261325a0
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/261325a0
This article is cited by
-
Enzyme antigens associated with pigeon breeder's disease. II. Isolation and characterization of acidic hydrolases
Journal of Protein Chemistry (1984)
-
Neutral protease, collagenase and elastase activities in synovial fluids from arthritic patients
Agents and Actions (1984)
-
?2-Macroglobulin production by cultured human fibroblasts
Somatic Cell Genetics (1982)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.
