Tamayuki Shinomura

Three isoforms of mammalian hyaluronan synthases have distinct enzymatic properties.

Three mammalian hyaluronan synthase genes,HAS1, HAS2, and HAS3, have recently been cloned. In this study, we characterized and compared the enzymatic properties of these three HAS proteins. Expression of any of these genes in COS-1 cells or rat 3Y1 fibroblasts yielded de novoformation of a hyaluronan coat. The pericellular coats formed by HAS1 transfectants were significantly smaller than those formed by HAS2 or HAS3 transfectants. Kinetic studies of these enzymes in the membrane fractions isolated from HAS transfectants demonstrated that HAS proteins are distinct from each other in enzyme stability, elongation rate of HA, and apparent K m values for the two substrates UDP-GlcNAc and UDP-GlcUA. Analysis of the size distributions of hyaluronan generated in vitro by the recombinant proteins demonstrated that HAS3 synthesized hyaluronan with a molecular mass of 1 × 105 to 1 × 106 Da, shorter than those synthesized by HAS1 and HAS2 which have molecular masses of 2 × 105 to ∼2 × 106 Da. Furthermore, comparisons of hyaluronan secreted into the culture media by stable HAS transfectants showed that HAS1 and HAS3 generated hyaluronan with broad size distributions (molecular masses of 2 × 105 to ∼2 × 106 Da), whereas HAS2 generated hyaluronan with a broad but extremely large size (average molecular mass of >2 × 106 Da). The occurrence of three HAS isoforms with such distinct enzymatic characteristics may provide the cells with flexibility in the control of hyaluronan biosynthesis and functions.

Distinct Interaction of Versican/PG-M with Hyaluronan and Link Protein

The proteoglycan aggregate is the major structural component of the cartilage matrix, comprising hyaluronan (HA), link protein (LP), and a large chondroitin sulfate (CS) proteoglycan, aggrecan. Here, we found that another member of aggrecan family, versican, biochemically binds to both HA and LP. Functional analyses of recombinant looped domains (subdomains) A, B, and B′ of the N-terminal G1 domain revealed that the B-B′ segment of versican is adequate for binding to HA and LP, whereas A and B-B′ of aggrecan bound to LP and HA, respectively. BIAcore™ analyses showed that the A subdomain of versican G1 enhances HA binding but has a negligible effect on LP binding. Overlay sensorgrams demonstrated that versican G1 or its B-B′ segment forms a complex with both HA and LP. We generated a molecular model of the B-B′ segment, in which a deletion and an insertion of B′ and B are critical for stable structure and HA binding. These results provide important insights into the mechanisms of formation of the proteoglycan aggregate and HA binding of molecules containing the link module.

Tissue variation of two large chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (PG-M/versican and PG-H/aggrecan) in chick embryos

PG-M and PG-H, chick large chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans corresponding to versican (fibroblasttype proteoglycan) and aggrecan (cartilage-characteristic proteoglycan), respectively, which are found in mammals, have been characterized in various tissues of chick embryos. Their distribution and the compositions of the core molecules were analyzed by immunofluorescence staining and immunoblotting, respectively, using various monospecific antibodies. Molecules reactive to a monoclonal antibody to the PG-M core protein (designated MY-174) were distributed in various tissues, including aorta, lung, cornea, brain, skeletal muscle and dermis. Immunoblotting with MY-174 of the chondroitinase ABC-digested tissue extracts showed a tissue variation of MY-174-reactive core molecules (550-kD, 500-kD, 450kD, and 350-300-kD). In contrast, PG-H, besides massive occurrence in cartilage, was only found in a few tissues such as aorta and brain. In addition, PG-H in aorta, cornea, and skin was atypical in structure, because it lacked keratan sulfate. The expression of PG-M in developing chick embryos was then examined. PG-M was found in some developmentally active areas, such as the perinotochordal mesenchyme between notochord and neural tube, the basement membranes facing neuroepithelial cells, and condensing mesenchymal cells in limb buds, suggesting some functions distinctive of the developing tissues.

The distribution of mesenchyme proteoglycan (PG-M) during wing bud outgrowth.

SummaryThis study utilizes immunofluorescence to describe the distribution of several extracellular matrix molecules in the chick embryo during the process of limb outgrowth and the formation of precartilage condensations. A large chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (PG-M) is detected at the wing level at Hamburger and Hamilton stage 14 in and under the dorsal ectoderm, and is associated with the basement membranes around the neural tube, notochord and pronephros, but not with other basement membranes. The galactose-specific leetin, peanut agglutinin (PNA), has a similar distribution except that it also binds to the dorsal side of the neural tube. PG-M is not detected in the limb mesenchyme until after stage 17, when it is present in the distal region, as is PNA-binding material. With further development of the wing bud, PG-M is present in the subectodermal mesenchyme, the mesenchyme at the distal tip and in the prechondrogenic core. After stage 22 PNA-binding material becomes localized in the prechondrogenic core, the basement membranes under the apical ectodermal ridge, and the ventral sulcus. The distribution of these components (PG-M and PNA binding material) overlaps, but differs from that of type I collagen and fibronectin and basement membrane components, such as laminin, basement membrane heparan sulfate proteoglycan, and type IV collagen. Tenascin, on the other hand, is not detected in the limb bud until stage 25, after the appearance of cartilage matrix components such as type II collagen and cartilage proteoglycan (PG-H). These results are considered in relation to the formation of precartilage aggregates, and indicate that PNA binds to components in precartilage aggregates other than PG-M or tenascin.

Versican/PG-M regulates chondrogenesis as an extracellular matrix molecule crucial for mesenchymal condensation.

Mesenchymal cell condensation is an essential step for cartilage development. Versican/PG-M, a large chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan, is one of the major molecules expressed in the extracellular matrix during condensation. However, its role, especially as an environment for cells being condensed, has not been elucidated. Here we showed several lines of evidence for essential roles of versican/PG-M in chondrogenic condensation using a new chondrocytic cell line, N1511. Chondrogenic stimuli (treatment with parathyroid hormone, dexamethasone, 10% serum) induced a marked increase in the transcription and protein synthesis of versican/PG-M. Stable antisense clones for versican/PG-M, depending on suppression of the expression of versican/PG-M, showed different capacities for chondrogenesis, as indicated by the expression and deposition of aggrecan, a major chondrocytic cell product. The cells in the early stages of the culture only expressed V0 and V1 forms, having more chondroitin sulfate chains among the four variants of versican/PG-M, and treatment of those cells with chondroitinase ABC suppressed subsequent chondrogenesis. Furthermore, treatment with β-xyloside, an artificial chain initiator of chondroitin sulfate synthesis to consequently inhibit the synthesis on the core proteins, suppressed chondrogenesis. In addition, forced expression of the variant V3, which has no chondroitin sulfate chain, disrupted the deposition and organization of native versican/PG-M (V0/V1) and other extracellular matrix molecules known to be expressed during the mesenchymal condensation and resulted in the inhibition of subsequent chondrogenesis. These results suggest that versican/PG-M is involved in positively regulating the formation of the mesenchymal matrix and the onset of chondrocyte differentiation through the attached chondroitin sulfate chains.

Laminin A, B1, and B2 Chain Gene Expression in Transected and Regenerating Nerves: Regulation by Axonal Signals

Abstract: Laminin A, B1, and B2 chain mRNA levels in degenerating and regenerating mouse sciatic nerves were examined using northern blot analysis. In normal intact nerves, B1 and B2 mRNA steady‐state levels were high, but when the nerves were crushed, the steady‐state levels of B1 and B2 mRNA per milligram wet tissue weight of the distal segments of the nerves increased five‐ to eightfold over that of control levels as the total RNA and β‐actin mRNA levels increased, suggesting that these increases were the consequence of Schwann cell proliferation after axotomy. When the steady‐state levels of B1 and B2 mRNA were normalized as the ratio to total RNA or β‐actin mRNA levels, however, they drastically decreased to about 20% of the normal nerve levels in the nerve segments distal to both the crush and transaction sites 1 day after injury. In the crushed nerves, B1 and B2 mRNA levels gradually increased as the regenerating nerves arrived at the distal segments and reestablished normal axon–Schwann cell contact, and then returned to normal levels on the 21 st day. In the transected nerves, where Schwann cells continued to be disconnected from axons, both B1 and B2 mRNA levels remained low. Cultured Schwann cells expressed detectable levels of B1 and B2 chain mRNA which significantly increased when the cells were cocultured with sensory neurons. However, mRNA for A chain was not detectable in the normal, axotomized nerves or in cultured Schwann cells. These data indicate that Schwann cells express laminin B1 and B2 chain mRNA that are up‐regulated by axonal or neuronal contact, but they do not express A chain mRNA.

Identification and Characterization of Versican/PG-M Aggregates in Cartilage

Versican/PG-M is a large chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan of the extracellular matrix with a common domain structure to aggrecan and is present in cartilage at low levels. Here, we characterized cartilage versican during development and growth. Immunostaining showed that versican was mainly localized in the interterritorial zone of the articular surface at 2 weeks in mice, whereas aggrecan was in the pericellular zone of prehypertrophic and hypertrophic cells of the growth plate. Although its transcription level rapidly diminished during growth, versican remained in the articular cartilage. Biochemical analysis of normal articular cartilage and aggrecan-null cartilage from cmd (cartilage matrix deficiency)/cmd mice revealed that versican was present as a proteoglycan aggregate with both link protein and hyaluronan. Chondroitin sulfate chains of versican digested with chondroitinase ABC contained 71% nonsulfated and 28% 4-sulfated unsaturated disaccharides, whereas those of aggrecan contained 25% nonsulfated and 70% 4-sulfated. Link protein overexpression in chondrocytic N1511 cells at the early stage of differentiation, in which versican is expressed, enhanced versican deposition in the matrix and prevented subsequent aggrecan deposition. These results suggest that versican is present as an aggregate distinct from the aggrecan aggregate and may play specific roles in the articular surface.

Molecular cloning of the mouse osteoglycin-encoding gene.

Osteoglycin (OG) is a glycoprotein that was first isolated from bovine bone. The deduced amino acid (aa) sequence from the cDNA analysis showed that a precursor of OG has consensus leucine-rich repeats. In this study, we have isolated from a mouse limb-bud library cDNA clones encoding a 298-aa OG. This molecule shows 85 and 86% homology to human and bovine OG, respectively. Furthermore, the C-terminal two-thirds of the protein shows 48% homology to the corresponding portion of chick proteoglycan (PG)-Lb, a PG that has been shown to be preferentially expressed in the zone of flattened chondrocytes in the developing limb cartilage. Northern blot analysis of various mouse tissues revealed a 3.7-kb transcript in a limited number of these tissues.

Versican/PG-M is essential for ventricular septal formation subsequent to cardiac atrioventricular cushion development

Versican (Vcan)/proteoglycan (PG)-M is a large chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan which forms a proteoglycan/hyaluronan (HA) aggregate in the extracellular matrix (ECM). We tried to generate the Vcan knockout mice by a conventional method, which resulted in mutant mice Vcan(Δ3/Δ3) whose Vcan lacks the A subdomain of the G1 domain. The Vcan knockout embryos died during the early development stage due to heart defects, but some Vcan(Δ3/Δ3) embryos survived through to the neonatal period. The hearts in Vcan(Δ3/Δ3) newborn mice showed normal cardiac looping, but had ventricular septal defects. Their atrioventricular canal (AVC) cushion was much smaller than those of wild-type (WT) embryos, and the extracellular space for cardiac jelly was narrow. The Vcan deposition in the Vcan(Δ3/Δ3) AVC cushion had decreased, whereas the HA deposition was maintained and condensed. In the tip of ventricular septa, both Vcan and HA had decreased. The cell proliferation based on the number of Ki67-positive cells had remarkably increased in both the AVC cushion and ventricular septa, compared with that of WT embryos. Vcan(Δ3/Δ3) seemed to have endocardial and mesenchymal mixed characteristics. When the ex vivo explant culture of these regions was performed on the collagen gel, hardly any migration to make sufficient space for the ECM construction was apparent. Our results suggest that the proteoglycan aggregates are necessary in both the AVC cushion and ventricular septa to fuse interventricular septa, and the Vcan A subdomain plays an essential role for the interventricular septal formation by constituting the proteoglycan aggregates.

Transient Expression of PG-M/Versican, a Large Chondroitin Sulfate Proteoglycan in Developing Chicken Retina

Abstract: We previously showed the expression of PG‐M/versican in embryonic chicken retina. In this study, we characterized the alternatively spliced forms of PG‐M/versican and their developmental regulation to investigate the implication of PG‐M/versican in neurite outgrowth from retinal cells during development. On day 5, the immunolocalization of PG‐M was first observed at the inner surface of neural retina. On day 7, the pronounced staining was observed in the nerve fiber layer and inner plexiform layer where neural networks of ganglion cells were being formed. As the development proceeded, more intensive staining was observed in these layers. The staining peaked on day 14 and then decreased. Northern analysis and western blotting revealed the presence of a single‐sized transcript (13 kb) and the PG‐M/versican core protein (550 kDa) on day 14, but the absence of any transcripts or protein bands on day 20, indicating a transient expression of PG‐M+ (VO), the alternatively spliced form with the most abundant sites for the chondroitin sulfate attachment. Taken together, it is likely that PG‐M/versican is involved in neurite outgrowth from ganglion cells during retinal development, and antiadhesion activity of its chondroitin sulfate chains may be important for regulation.