Identification of IGFBP-3 fragments generated by KLK2 and prevention of fragmentation by KLK2-inhibiting peptides

Biol Chem. 2010 Apr;391(4):475-9. doi: 10.1515/BC.2010.039.

Abstract

Kallikrein-related peptidase 2 (KLK2) degrades insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) in vitro. IGFBP-3 forms complexes with IGFs, preventing them from binding to their receptors and stimulating cell proliferation and survival. IGF-independent actions have also been described for IGFBP-3. The degradation of IGFBP-3 by KLK2 or other proteases in the prostate may promote the growth of prostate cancer. We studied IGFBP-3 degradation by immunoblotting and two specific immunoassays, one recognizing only native non-fragmented IGFBP-3 and the other one recognizing both intact and proteolytically cleaved IGFBP-3. Peptides were used to inhibit the enzyme activity of KLK2 and cleavage sites in IGFBP-3 were identified by mass spectrometry. KLK2 proteolyzed IGFBP-3 into several small fragments, mostly after Arg residues, in keeping with the trypsin-like activity of KLK2. The fragmentation could be inhibited by KLK2-inhibiting peptides in a dose-dependent fashion. As degradation of IGFBP-3 could lead to a more aggressive cancer phenotype, inhibition of KLK2 activity might be useful for treatment of prostate cancer and other diseases associated with increased KLK2 activity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Fluoroimmunoassay
  • Humans
  • Immunoblotting
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 / chemistry*
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 / metabolism*
  • Mass Spectrometry
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Peptide Fragments / chemistry*
  • Peptide Fragments / metabolism*
  • Peptides / pharmacology*
  • Serine Proteinase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Tissue Kallikreins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Tissue Kallikreins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3
  • Peptide Fragments
  • Peptides
  • Serine Proteinase Inhibitors
  • Tissue Kallikreins