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- Title
Regulation of intestinal alpha-defensin activation by the metalloproteinase matrilysin in innate host defense.
- Authors
Wilson, C L; Ouellette, A J; Satchell, D P; Ayabe, T; López-Boado, Y S; Stratman, J L; Hultgren, S J; Matrisian, L M; Parks, W C
- Abstract
Precursors of alpha-defensin peptides require activation for bactericidal activity. In mouse small intestine, matrilysin colocalized with alpha-defensins (cryptdins) in Paneth cell granules, and in vitro it cleaved the pro segment from cryptdin precursors. Matrilysin-deficient (MAT-/-) mice lacked mature cryptdins and accumulated precursor molecules. Intestinal peptide preparations from MAT-/- mice had decreased antimicrobial activity. Orally administered bacteria survived in greater numbers and were more virulent in MAT-/- mice than in MAT+/+ mice. Thus, matrilysin functions in intestinal mucosal defense by regulating the activity of defensins, which may be a common role for this metalloproteinase in its numerous epithelial sites of expression.
- Publication
Science (New York, N.Y.), 1999, Vol 286, Issue 5437, p113
- ISSN
0036-8075
- Publication type
Journal Article
- DOI
10.1126/science.286.5437.113