Anthony J. Turner

A Human Homolog of Angiotensin-converting Enzyme CLONING AND FUNCTIONAL EXPRESSION AS A CAPTOPRIL-INSENSITIVE CARBOXYPEPTIDASE

A novel human zinc metalloprotease that has considerable homology to human angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) (40% identity and 61% similarity) has been identified. This metalloprotease (angiotensin-converting enzyme homolog (ACEH)) contains a single HEXXH zinc-binding domain and conserves other critical residues typical of the ACE family. The predicted protein sequence consists of 805 amino acids, including a potential 17-amino acid N-terminal signal peptide sequence and a putative C-terminal membrane anchor. Expression in Chinese hamster ovary cells of a soluble, truncated form of ACEH, lacking the transmembrane and cytosolic domains, produces a glycoprotein of 120 kDa, which is able to cleave angiotensin I and angiotensin II but not bradykinin or Hip-His-Leu. In the hydrolysis of the angiotensins, ACEH functions exclusively as a carboxypeptidase. ACEH activity is inhibited by EDTA but not by classical ACE inhibitors such as captopril, lisinopril, or enalaprilat. Identification of the genomic sequence of ACEH has shown that the ACEH gene contains 18 exons, of which several have considerable size similarity with the first 17 exons of human ACE. The gene maps to chromosomal location Xp22. Northern blotting analysis has shown that the ACEH mRNA transcript is ∼3.4 kilobase pairs and is most highly expressed in testis, kidney, and heart. This is the first report of a mammalian homolog of ACE and has implications for our understanding of cardiovascular and renal function.

ADAMs family members as amyloid precursor protein α‐secretases

In the non‐amyloidogenic pathway, the Alzheimers amyloid precursor protein (APP) is cleaved within the amyloid‐β domain by α‐secretase precluding deposition of intact amyloid‐β peptide. The large ectodomain released from the cell surface by the action of α‐secretase has several neuroprotective properties. Studies with protease inhibitors have shown that α‐secretase is a zinc metalloproteinase, and several members of the adamalysin family of proteins, tumour necrosis factor‐α convertase (TACE, ADAM17), ADAM10, and ADAM9, all fulfil some of the criteria required of α‐secretase. We review the evidence for each of these ADAMs acting as the α‐secretase. What seems to be emerging from numerous studies, including those with mice in which each of the ADAMs has been knocked out, is that there is a team of zinc metalloproteinases able to cleave APP at the α‐secretase site. We also discuss how upregulation of α‐secretase activity by muscarinic agonists, cholesterol‐lowering drugs, steroid hormones, non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs, and metal ions may explain some of the therapeutic actions of these agents in Alzheimers disease.

The neprilysin (NEP) family of zinc metalloendopeptidases: Genomics and function

Neprilysin (NEP), a thermolysin‐like zinc metalloendopeptidase, plays an important role in turning off peptide signalling events at the cell surface. It is involved in the metabolism of a number of regulatory peptides of the mammalian nervous, cardiovascular, inflammatory and immune systems. Examples include enkephalins, tachykinins, natriuretic and chemotactic peptides. NEP is an integral plasma membrane ectopeptidase of the M13 family of zinc peptidases. Other related mammalian NEP‐like enzymes include the endothelin‐converting enzymes (ECE‐1 and ECE‐2), KELL and PEX. A number of novel mammalian homologues of NEP have also recently been described. NEP family members are potential therapeutic targets, for example in cardiovascular and inflammatory disorders, and potent and selective inhibitors such as phosphoramidon have contributed to understanding enzyme function. Inhibitor design should be facilitated by the recent three‐dimensional structural solution of the NEP–phosphoramidon complex. For several of the family members, however, a well‐defined physiological function or substrate is lacking. Knowledge of the complete genomes of Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila melanogaster allows the full complement of NEP‐like activities to be analysed in a single organism. These model organisms also provide convenient systems for examining cell‐specific expression, developmental and functional roles of this peptidase family, and reveal the power of functional genomics. BioEssays 23:261–269, 2001.

Exclusively targeting beta-secretase to lipid rafts by GPI-anchor addition up-regulates beta-site processing of the amyloid precursor protein.

β-Secretase (BACE, Asp-2) is a transmembrane aspartic proteinase responsible for cleaving the amyloid precursor protein (APP) to generate the soluble ectodomain sAPPβ and its C-terminal fragment CTFβ. CTFβ is subsequently cleaved by γ-secretase to produce the neurotoxic/synaptotoxic amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) that accumulates in Alzheimers disease. Indirect evidence has suggested that amyloidogenic APP processing may preferentially occur in lipid rafts. Here, we show that relatively little wild-type BACE is found in rafts prepared from a human neuroblastoma cell line (SH-SY5Y) by using Triton X-100 as detergent. To investigate further the significance of lipid rafts in APP processing, a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor has been added to BACE, replacing the transmembrane and C-terminal domains. The GPI anchor targets the enzyme exclusively to lipid raft domains. Expression of GPIBACE substantially up-regulates the secretion of both sAPPβ and amyloid-β peptide over levels observed from cells overexpressing wild-type BACE. This effect was reversed when the lipid rafts were disrupted by depleting cellular cholesterol levels. These results suggest that processing of APP to the amyloid-β peptide occurs predominantly in lipid rafts and that BACE is the rate-limiting enzyme in this process. The processing of the APP695 isoform by GPI-BACE was up-regulated 20-fold compared with wild-type BACE, whereas only a 2-fold increase in the processing of APP751/770 was seen, implying a differential compartmentation of the APP isoforms. Changes in the local membrane environment during aging may facilitate the cosegregation of APP and BACE leading to increased β-amyloid production.

Evaluation of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), its homologue ACE2 and neprilysin in angiotensin peptide metabolism

In the RAS (renin-angiotensin system), Ang I (angiotensin I) is cleaved by ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) to form Ang II (angiotensin II), which has effects on blood pressure, fluid and electrolyte homoeostasis. We have examined the kinetics of angiotensin peptide cleavage by full-length human ACE, the separate N- and C-domains of ACE, the homologue of ACE, ACE2, and NEP (neprilysin). The activity of the enzyme preparations was determined by active-site titrations using competitive tight-binding inhibitors and fluorogenic substrates. Ang I was effectively cleaved by NEP to Ang (1-7) (kcat/K(m) of 6.2x10(5) M(-1) x s(-1)), but was a poor substrate for ACE2 (kcat/K(m) of 3.3x10(4) M(-1) x s(-1)). Ang (1-9) was a better substrate for NEP than ACE (kcat/K(m) of 3.7x10(5) M(-1) x s(-1) compared with kcat/K(m) of 6.8x10(4) M(-1) x s(-1)). Ang II was cleaved efficiently by ACE2 to Ang (1-7) (kcat/K(m) of 2.2x10(6) M(-1) x s(-1)) and was cleaved by NEP (kcat/K(m) of 2.2x10(5) M(-1) x s(-1)) to several degradation products. In contrast with a previous report, Ang (1-7), like Ang I and Ang (1-9), was cleaved with a similar efficiency by both the N- and C-domains of ACE (kcat/K(m) of 3.6x10(5) M(-1) x s(-1) compared with kcat/K(m) of 3.3x10(5) M(-1) x s(-1)). The two active sites of ACE exhibited negative co-operativity when either Ang I or Ang (1-7) was the substrate. In addition, a range of ACE inhibitors failed to inhibit ACE2. These kinetic data highlight that the flux of peptides through the RAS is complex, with the levels of ACE, ACE2 and NEP dictating whether vasoconstriction or vasodilation will predominate.

The angiotensin–converting enzyme gene family: genomics and pharmacology

Modulation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), and particularly inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), a zinc metallopeptidase, has long been a prime strategy in the treatment of hypertension. However, other angiotensin metabolites are gaining in importance as our understanding of the RAS increases. Recently, genomic approaches have identified the first human homologue of ACE, termed ACEH (or ACE2). ACEH differs in specificity and physiological roles from ACE, which opens a potential new area for discovery biology. The gene that encodes collectrin, a homologue of ACEH, is upregulated in response to renal injury. Collectrin lacks a catalytic domain, which indicates that there is more to ACE-like function than simple peptide hydrolysis.

Modulation of the GABAA receptor by depressant barbiturates and pregnane steroids

1 The modulation of the γ‐aminobutyric acidA (GABAA) receptor by reduced metabolites of progesterone and deoxycorticosterone has been compared with that produced by depressant barbiturates in: (a) voltage‐clamp recordings from bovine enzymatically isolated chromaffin cells in cell culture, and (b) an assay of the specific binding of [3H]‐muscimol to a preparation of porcine brain membranes. 2 The progesterone metabolites 5α‐ and 5β‐pregnan‐3α‐ol‐20‐one (≥30 nm) reversibly and dosedependently enhanced the amplitude of membrane currents elicited by locally applied GABA (100 μm), and over the concentration range 30 nM‐100 μm stimulated the binding of [3H]‐muscimol. In contrast, 5α‐ and 5β‐pregnan‐3β‐ol‐20‐one (30 nM‐100 μm) had little effect in either assay, indicating a marked stereoselectivity of steroid action. 3 Scatchard analysis of the ligand binding data suggested an apparent increase in the number, rather than the affinity, of detectable [3H]‐muscimol binding sites as the principle action of the active steroid isomers. 4 GABA‐evoked currents were also potentiated by androsterone (1 μm) and the deoxycorticosterone metabolite 5α‐pregnane‐3α,21‐diol‐20‐one (100 nm). 5 Secobarbitone (10–100 μm), pentobarbitone (10–300 μm) and phenobarbitone (100–500 μm) reversibly and dose‐dependently potentiated the amplitude of GABA‐evoked currents in the absence of any change in their reversal potential. 6 At relatively high concentrations (≥ 30 μm) secobarbitone and pentobarbitone directly elicited a membrane current. It is concluded that such currents result from GABAA receptor‐channel activation since they share a common reversal potential with GABA‐evoked responses (≥0mV), are reversibly antagonized by bicuculline (3 μm), and potentiated by either diazepam (1 μm) or 5β‐pregnan‐3α‐ol‐20‐one (500 nm). 7 Secobarbitone (1 μm‐1 mm) dose‐dependently enhanced the binding of [3H]‐muscimol. In common with the active steroids, an increase in the apparent number of binding sites was responsible for this effect. 8 A saturating concentration (1 mm) of secobarbitone in the ligand binding assay did not suppress the degree of enhancement of control binding produced by 5β‐pregnan‐3α‐ol‐20‐one (30 nM‐100 μm). Similarly the steroid, at a concentration of 100 μm, did not influence the enhancement of [3H]‐muscimol binding by secobarbitone (1 μm‐1 mm). In all combinations of concentrations tested, the effects of secobarbitone and 5β‐pregnan‐3α‐ol‐20‐one on [3H]‐muscimol binding were additive. 9 In conjunction with previously published observations, the present data indicate close similarities in the GABA‐mimetic and potentiating actions of barbiturates and steroids. However, the results obtained with combinations of steroids and barbiturates in the ligand binding assay appear inconsistent with the two classes of compound interacting with a common site to modulate the GABAA receptor activity.

β-Amyloid catabolism: roles for neprilysin (NEP) and other metallopeptidases?

The steady‐state level of amyloid β‐peptide (Aβ) represents a balance between its biosynthesis from the amyloid precursor protein (APP) through the action of the β‐ and γ‐secretases and its catabolism by a variety of proteolytic enzymes. Recent attention has focused on members of the neprilysin (NEP) family of zinc metalloproteinases in amyloid metabolism. NEP itself degrades both Aβ1−40 and Aβ1−42in vitro and in vivo, and this metabolism is prevented by NEP inhibitors. Other NEP family members, for example endothelin‐converting enzyme, may contribute to amyloid catabolism and may also play a role in neuroprotection. Another metalloproteinase, insulysin (insulin‐degrading enzyme) has also been advocated as an amyloid‐degrading enzyme and may contribute more generally to metabolism of amyloid‐forming peptides. Other candidate enzymes proposed include angiotensin‐converting enzyme, some matrix metalloproteinases, plasmin and, indirectly, thimet oligopeptidase (endopeptidase‐24.15). This review critically evaluates the evidence relating to proteinases implicated in amyloid catabolism. Therapeutic strategies aimed at promoting Aβ degradation may provide a novel approach to the therapy of Alzheimers disease.

Cellular prion protein regulates beta-secretase cleavage of the Alzheimer's amyloid precursor protein

Proteolytic processing of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) by β-secretase, β-site APP cleaving enzyme (BACE1), is the initial step in the production of the amyloid β (Aβ) peptide, which is involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimers disease. The normal cellular function of the prion protein (PrPC), the causative agent of the transmissible spongiform encephalopathies such as Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease in humans, remains enigmatic. Because both APP and PrPC are subject to proteolytic processing by the same zinc metalloproteases, we tested the involvement of PrPC in the proteolytic processing of APP. Cellular overexpression of PrPC inhibited the β-secretase cleavage of APP and reduced Aβ formation. Conversely, depletion of PrPC in mouse N2a cells by siRNA led to an increase in Aβ peptides secreted into the medium. In the brains of PrP knockout mice and in the brains from two strains of scrapie-infected mice, Aβ levels were significantly increased. Two mutants of PrP, PG14 and A116V, that are associated with familial human prion diseases failed to inhibit the β-secretase cleavage of APP. Using constructs of PrP, we show that this regulatory effect of PrPC on the β-secretase cleavage of APP required the localization of PrPC to cholesterol-rich lipid rafts and was mediated by the N-terminal polybasic region of PrPC via interaction with glycosaminoglycans. In conclusion, this is a mechanism by which the cellular production of the neurotoxic Aβ is regulated by PrPC and may have implications for both Alzheimers and prion diseases.

Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Convertase (ADAM17) Mediates Regulated Ectodomain Shedding of the Severe-acute Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus (SARS-CoV) Receptor, Angiotensin-converting Enzyme-2 (ACE2)

Angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) is a critical regulator of heart function and a cellular receptor for the causative agent of severe-acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), SARS-CoV (coronavirus). ACE2 is a type I transmembrane protein, with an extracellular N-terminal domain containing the active site and a short intracellular C-terminal tail. A soluble form of ACE2, lacking its cytosolic and transmembrane domains, has been shown to block binding of the SARS-CoV spike protein to its receptor. In this study, we examined the ability of ACE2 to undergo proteolytic shedding and investigated the mechanisms responsible for this shedding event. We demonstrated that ACE2, heterologously expressed in HEK293 cells and endogenously expressed in Huh7 cells, undergoes metalloproteinase-mediated, phorbol ester-inducible ectodomain shedding. By using inhibitors with differing potency toward different members of the ADAM (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase) family of proteases, we identified ADAM17 as a candidate mediator of stimulated ACE2 shedding. Furthermore, ablation of ADAM17 expression using specific small interfering RNA duplexes reduced regulated ACE2 shedding, whereas overexpression of ADAM17 significantly increased shedding. Taken together, these data provided direct evidence for the involvement of ADAM17 in the regulated ectodomain shedding of ACE2. The identification of ADAM17 as the protease responsible for ACE2 shedding may provide new insight into the physiological roles of ACE2.