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Biomedical subjects

B R Olsen

Publications and source records attributed to B R Olsen.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

A review of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-3 (TIMP-3) and experimental analysis of its effect on primary tumor growth.

The family of tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) presently numbers four distinct gene products that are specific inhibitors of the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). The local balance between MMPs and TIMPs is believed to play a major role in extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling during development and in diseases such as cancer and arthritis. Unlike the other TIMPs, which are soluble. TIMP-3 is unique in being a component of ECM. Mutations in the human TIMP-3 gene cause a dominantly inherited, adult-onset blindness (Sorsby's fundus dystrophy or SFD). In this article, we summarize what is currently known about TIMP-3, discuss possible mechanisms leading up to SFD, and investigate the effect of TIMP-3 on tumor growth. Breast carcinoma and malignant melanoma cell lines were transfected with TIMP-3 expression plasmids and injected subcutaneously into nude mice. Growth curves of the resulting tumors over a period of 6 to 8 weeks demonstrated that increased expression of TIMP-3 resulted in a statistically significant suppression of tumor growth. Deposition of TIMP-3 in the surrounding ECM by tumor cells may inhibit tumor growth by preventing local expansion of tumor, retarding the release of growth factors sequestered in ECM, or inhibiting angiogenesis. TIMP-3 over-expression had no effect on the growth of the two tumor cell lines in vitro. Because recombinant TIMP-3 inhibits endothelial cell migration and tube formation in response to angiogenic factors, we believe that the effect of TIMP-3 on tumor growth seen in this study may be a consequence of its angiostatic action.

Animals↗

Unravelling the molecular genetics of osteoarthrosis.

Osteoarthrosis (OA) is a major component of many osteochondrodysplastic syndromes which follow mendelian modes of inheritance. The use of molecular genetic techniques to unravel the molecular background of OA has therefore become possible. Linkage analysis, positional cloning, and candidate gene analysis have been used to identify genes which, when altered, can lead to syndromic OA. Allele association studies and sib-pair analysis have also made it possible to study the importance of a particular gene or locus in OA at the population level. Furthermore, the creation of transgenic mice and analyses of naturally occurring and chemically or radiologically induced mutations in mice are providing in vivo models for human osteochondrodysplasias and OA.

Animals↗

Osteoporosis-pseudoglioma syndrome, a disorder affecting skeletal strength and vision, is assigned to chromosome region 11q12-13.

Osteoporosis-pseudoglioma syndrome (OPS) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by severe juvenile-onset osteoporosis and congenital or juvenile-onset blindness. The pathogenic mechanism is not known. Clinical, biochemical, and microscopic analyses suggest that OPS may be a disorder of matrix homeostasis rather than a disorder of matrix structure. Consequently, identification of the OPS gene and its protein product could provide insights regarding common osteoporotic conditions, such as postmenopausal and senile osteoporosis. As a first step toward determining the cause of OPS, we utilized a combination of traditional linkage analysis and homozygosity mapping to assign the OPS locus to chromosome region 11q12-13. Mapping was accomplished by analyzing 16 DNA samples (seven affected individuals) from three different consanguineous kindreds. Studies in 10 additional families narrowed the candidate region, supported locus homogeneity, and did not detect founder effects. The OPS locus maps to a 13-cM interval between D11S1298 and D11S971 and most likely lies in a 3-cM region between GSTP1 and D11S1296. At present, no strong candidate genes colocalize with OPS.

Alleles↗

Molecular cloning of the alpha 3 chain of human type IX collagen: linkage of the gene COL9A3 to chromosome 20q13.3.

Type IX collagen is composed of three polypeptides derived from the human genes COL9A1, COL9A2, and COL9A3 that assemble to form a mature collagen molecule with the structure alpha 1(IX)alpha 2(IX)alpha 3(IX). We have identified overlapping cDNA and genomic clones that encode for the entire alpha 3 chain of human type IX collagen. Tryptic peptides from the human alpha 3(IX) collagen chain were subjected to N-terminal amino acid sequencing, and a stretch of 124 contiguous amino acids that included the NC1, COL1, and NC2 domains was obtained. Degenerate oligonucleotide primers were designed based on the amino acid sequences of the human tryptic peptides as well as bovine peptides and sequences from chicken cDNA clones. These primers were used to amplify three overlapping PCR products that covered the majority of the human alpha 3(IX) collagen. PCR products were then used to identify overlapping cDNA clones from a human chondrocyte library. A lambda genomic clone was identified that contained the 5'-most exon that encodes the signal peptide to complete the entire structure of the human alpha 3(IX) collagen chain. Genomic amplification identified a single-strand conformational polymorphism in COL1 that was used to map COL9A3 to chromosome 20q13.3 by linkage analysis. The present study completes the structure of human type IX collagen, and linkage for COL9A3 completes the genomic mapping of cartilage collagen genes. These data will greatly assist the genetic screening of families with degenerative cartilage and eye diseases by allowing investigators to screen for a complete set of candidate collagen gene markers.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Structure of the human TIMP-3 gene and its cell cycle-regulated promoter.

The gene encoding tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-3 (TIMP-3) is regulated during development, mitogenic stimulation and normal cell cycle progression. The TIMP-3 gene is structurally altered or deregulated in certain diseases of the eye and in tumour cells. A detailed knowledge of the TIMP-3 gene and its regulatory elements is therefore of paramount importance to understand its role in development, cell cycle progression and disease. In this study, we present the complete structure of the human TIMP-3 gene. We show that TIMP-3 is a TATA-less gene, which initiates transcription at one major site, is composed of five exons and four introns spanning a region of approximately 30 kb, and gives rise to three distinct mRNAs, presumably due to the usage of alternative polyadenylation signals. Using somatic cell hybrids the TIMP-3 locus was mapped to chromosomal location 22q13.1 We also show that the TIMP-3 5' flanking region is sufficient to confer both high basal level expression in growing cells and cell cycle regulation in serum-stimulated cells. While the first 112 bases of the promoter, which harbour multiple Sp1 sites, were found to suffice for high basal level activity, the adjacent region spanning positions -463 and -112 was found to be a major determinant of serum inducibility. These results provide an important basis for further investigations addressing the role of TIMP-3 in physiological processes and pathological conditions.

3T3 Cells↗

Mouse Col18a1 is expressed in a tissue-specific manner as three alternative variants and is localized in basement membrane zones.

We have isolated overlapping cDNAs encoding the N-terminal non-triple-helical region of mouse alpha 1(XVIII) collagen and shown that three different variants of alpha 1(XVIII) collagen exist. Each of the three variants shows characteristic tissue-specific expression patterns. Immunohistochemical studies show positive staining for alpha 1(XVIII) collagen along the basement membrane zones of vessels in the intestinal villi, the choroid plexus, skin, liver, and kidney. Thus, we conclude that alpha 1(XVIII) collagen may interact (directly or indirectly) with components in basement membrane zones or on the basal surface of endothelial/epithelial cells.

Alternative Splicing↗

The gene structure of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP)-3 and its inhibitory activities define the distinct TIMP gene family.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) play a critical role in extracellular matrix homeostasis. We have previously cloned human and mouse TIMP-3 cDNAs and mapped their chromosomal loci (Apte, S. S., Mattei, M-G., and Olsen, B. R. (1994) Genomics 19, 86-90; Apte, S. S., Hayashi, K., Seldin, M. F., Mattei, M-G., Hayashi, M., and Olsen, B. R. (1994) Dev. Dynam. 200, 177-197); the identification of TIMP3 mutations in Sorsby's fundus dystrophy has underscored the functional importance of TIMP-3. We now report that TIMP-3 is encoded by five exons spanning over 30 kilobase pairs of mouse genomic DNA. In the attribution of protein domains to specific exons, as well as exon structures, the Timp-3 and Timp-1 genes are similar, confirming the common evolutionary origin of the TIMPs and defining a distinct gene family. We have expressed human and mouse TIMP-3 in mouse NSO myeloma cells. In each case, an N-glycosylated 27-kDa protein was generated, that, like TIMP-1 and TIMP-2, inhibited collagenase-1, stromelysin-1, and gelatinases A and B. TIMP-3 and TIMP-1 inhibition were quantitatively similar, implying that all TIMPs are equally efficient in MMP inhibition. Instead, differential regulation of the TIMP genes or divergent C-terminal protein sequences may underlie distinct biological functions for each TIMP.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The highly conserved defender against the death 1 (DAD1) gene maps to human chromosome 14q11-q12 and mouse chromosome 14 and has plant and nematode homologs.

We have cloned the cDNA encoding the mouse DAD1 (defender against apoptotic cell death) protein. While showing an expected high homology with the previously cloned human and Xenopus DAD1-encoding cDNAs, this sequence has striking homology to partial cDNA sequences reported from O. sativa (rice) and C. elegans (nematode), suggesting the existence of plant and invertebrate homologs of this highly conserved gene. The human and mouse DAD1 genes map to chromosome 14q11-q12 and chromosome 14, respectively. This mapping data supports and extends the previously reported similarities between human chromosome 14q and mouse chromosome 14.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Mapping of the human BAX gene to chromosome 19q13.3-q13.4 and isolation of a novel alternatively spliced transcript, BAX delta.

The BAX gene is a member of the Bcl-2 gene family; it encodes a 21-kDa protein whose association with Bcl-2 is believed to play a critical role in regulating apoptosis. Through analysis of human-hamster somatic cell hybrid DNA and by in situ hybridization to metaphase chromosomes, we have determined that the human BAX gene is located in the q13.3-q13.4 region of human chromosome 19. We have also isolated a BAX cDNA clone in which that part of the mRNA encoded by exon 3 is absent. The skipping of exon 3 and the resultant splicing of exons 2 and 4 maintains the original reading frame and predicts the existence of an interstitially truncated form of the major Bax protein (Bax alpha), termed Bax delta. Unlike two previously described variant forms of Bax alpha (Bax beta and Bax tau), Bax delta retains the functionally critical C-terminal membrane anchor region as well as the Bcl-2 homology 1 and 2 (BH1 and BH2) domains.

Alternative Splicing↗

92-kDa type IV collagenase and TIMP-3, but not 72-kDa type IV collagenase or TIMP-1 or TIMP-2, are highly expressed during mouse embryo implantation.

Expression of 72 kDa and 92 kDa type IV collagenases and the metalloproteinase inhibitors TIMPs 1, 2, and 3 was studied by in situ hybridization in implanting mouse embryos of days 5.5 to 7.5. The 92 kDa type IV collagenase was strongly expressed in invading trophoblasts, signals above background not being observed in the embryonic proper or placental tissue. In contrast, signals above background were not seen for the 72 kDa enzyme in any cells of the implantation region, including trophoblasts and stromal cells of the decidual tissue. Only cells in the mucosal stroma outside the decidual region displayed some expression. TIMP-3 was intensily expressed in maternal cells in the area surrounding the invading embryonic tissue. No expression was observed for TIMP-1 or TIMP-2 in the embryo proper, trophoblasts, or the area of the uterine decidual reaction. Weak signals appeared for TIMP-1 only in the circular layer of myometrial smooth muscle and in some uterine stroma cells distant from the site of embryo implantation. The results suggest a central role for 92 kDa type IV collagenase and TIMP-3 in the extracellular proteolysis associated with implantation of the early embryo.

Animals↗

Primary structure of the long and short splice variants of mouse collagen XII and their tissue-specific expression during embryonic development.

Type XII collagen, a member of the FACIT group of extracellular matrix proteins, consists of molecules that are trimers of alpha 1(XII) chains. The three chains in each molecule form a cross-shaped structure with a central globule from which a triple-helical tail and three finger-like regions (containing von Willebrand factor A-like regions (containing von Willebrand factor A-like domains and fibronectin type III repeats) extend. cDNA cloning/sequencing of chicken alpha 1(XII) collagen and protein studies with mouse, bovine, and human material suggest that the alpha 1(XII) collagen gene gives rise to two molecular variants, differing in the length of the finger-like regions, by alternative splicing of the primary transcript. To provide a basis for studies of the function of the two variants in an organism that can be genetically manipulated, we have isolated and sequenced mouse cDNAs encoding both splice variants. The sequence provides the first complete nucleotide and amino acid sequence of mammalian type XII collagen. From these cDNAs we have generated digoxigenin-labeled RNA probes for in situ hybridization of developing mouse embryos to find out whether the splicing mechanism responsible for generation of the two forms is developmentally regulated. The results, combined with Northern blot and RT-PCR analysis of RNA from embryos at various developmental stages, demonstrate that the long form of collagen XII, XIIA, is the predominant form at early stages (ED7 and 11); at later stages of development (ED15 and 17) the short form, XIIB, becomes the major form. As the short form becomes the major product, the long splice variant continues to be expressed in several tissues, even after birth. An exception is dermis, which is positive for the long form up to embryonic day 15, but negative at day 18, when only the short form RNA can be detected.

Alternative Splicing↗

Analysis of collagen synthesis and assembly in culture by immortalized mouse chondrocytes in the presence or absence of alpha 1(IX) collagen chains.

We have previously shown that SV40 large T oncogene is able to induce mouse chondrocyte proliferation without loss of expression of types II, IX, and XI collagen, as well as cartilage aggrecan and link protein. The cell line obtained (termed MC 615) also expressed some type I collagen in monolayer and we have investigated if anchorage-independent conditions could inhibit type I collagen synthesis and promote hypertrophy and type X collagen synthesis. The MC 615 cells were grown in agarose in the presence of serum, and GAG accumulation, DNA content, and matrix synthesis rates were monitored after incubation with [35S]sulfate and [3H]- or [14C]proline. SDS-PAGE analysis of pepsin-extracted samples showed that type I collagen was still synthesized by the MC 615 cells, from the beginning of the culture and at low or high density. Type II collagen synthesis was demonstrated by immunoblotting, but type X collagen synthesis was not detected, indicating that the MC 615 chondrocytes immortalized by large T were still blocked in their maturation pathway. The cells were also grown over agarose and electron microscopy (E. M.) analysis of the cell aggregates showed an extracellular matrix rich in proteoglycans and in type II-containing collagen fibrils. To gain insight into the role of type IX collagen in cartilage collagen assembly and/or matrix organization, we also immortalized embryonic chondrocytes isolated from mice lacking alpha 1 (IX) collagen and obtained a clone termed 4KO 91. As found for the MC 615 cells, the 4KO 91 cells synthesized type II collagen as demonstrated by Western blotting and some type I collagen identified by the presence of alpha 2(I) chains after electrophoretic analysis of pepsin-digested collagen chains. E. M. analysis of the extracellular matrices synthesized by the two cell lines revealed differences in collagen structure and organization. In the absence of alpha 1 (IX) collagen chains, the collagen fibrils seemed to fuse laterally, suggesting that collagen IX acts as a "spacer" between fibrils, to keep them apart.

Animals↗

New insights into the function of collagens from genetic analysis.

Recent studies utilizing transgenic approaches, in combination with mouse and human genetics, are leading to insights into the in vivo functions of fibrillar and non-fibrillar collagens. This information helps define the molecular causes of inherited disorders of connective tissues and provides answers to fundamental questions of tissue and organ morphogenesis.

Animals↗