Work

Human neutrophil elastase releases cell surface mucins from primary cultures of hamster tracheal epithelial cells.

Year: 1987

Type: article

Abstract: Primary hamster tracheal epithelial cells growing on a collagen gel matrix produce high molecular weight mucins indistinguishable from mucins produced in vivo. Using a modified version of these confluent cultures, we have demonstrated here that (i) release of mucins can be stimulated by human neutrophil elastase (HNE; EC 3.4.21.37); (ii) HNE can degrade mucins, and both mucin release and degradation by HNE require an active catalytic site; and (iii) there are at least two pools of mucins in these cells: one is a rapidly turning-over spontaneously releasable constitutive pool, the other is a slowly turning-over HNE-releasable pool. We provide evidence that the HNE-releasable mucins are membrane bound and associated with the secretory cell apical surface.

Source: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

DOI: 10.1073/pnas.84.24.9304

Authors: K C Kim, K Wasano, R M Niles, J E Schuster, P J Stone, J S Brody

Institution: Boston University

Language: English

Topic: Protease and Inhibitor Mechanisms

Subfield: Cancer Research

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute