Sorsby's fundus dystrophy mutations impair turnover of TIMP-3 by retinal pigment epithelial cells†
Year: 2005
Type: article
Abstract: Sorsby's fundus dystrophy (SFD) is an autosomal dominant degenerative disease of the retina, caused by mutations in exon 5 of the gene for tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-3 (TIMP-3). The mechanism by which these mutations give rise to the disease phenotype is unknown. In an attempt to identify common properties of these molecules that might underlie the disease phenotype, a range of SFD mutants were expressed from human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. This showed that resistance to turnover, resulting from intermolecular disulfide bond formation, was a common property of all the SFD mutants examined, providing a possible explanation for the increased deposition of the protein observed in eyes from SFD patients. In contrast, SFD mutants varied in their ability to inhibit cell-surface activation of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), a potent mediator of angiogenesis, ranging from being fully active to totally inactive. These data show that increased deposition of active TIMP-3, rather than dysregulation of metalloproteinase inhibition, is likely to be the primary, initiating event in SFD.
Source: Human Molecular Genetics
DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddi385
Authors: Kevin P. Langton, Norman McKie, Brenda M. Smith, Nicola J. Brown, Michael D. Barker
Institution: University of Sheffield
Language: English
Subfield: Cancer Research
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2149993405