Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 15, 2026

Application of Genetically Encoded Fluorescent Nitric Oxide (NO•) Probes, the geNOps, for Real-time Imaging of NO• Signals in Single Cells
Published on: March 16, 2017
Nitric oxide regulates prolidase activity by serine/threonine phosphorylation
Arkadiusz Surazynski1, Yongmin Liu, Wojciech Miltyk
1Metabolism and Cancer Susceptibility Section, Laboratory of Comparative Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, Maryland 21702, USA.
Abstract:
Prolidase [E.C. 3.4.13.9], a member of the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family, is a manganese-dependent cytosolic exopeptidase that cleaves imidodipeptides containing C-terminal proline or hydroxyproline. It plays an important role in collagen metabolism, matrix remodeling and cell growth. Nitric oxide (NO), a versatile signaling molecule, regulates many processes including collagen synthesis and matrix remodeling and, thereby, may modulate angiogenesis, tumor invasiveness, and metastasis. Thus, we considered that prolidase may be an important target of NO regulation. In our study, SIN I and DETA/NO were used as NO donors. Both donors increased prolidase activity in a time-dependent and dose-dependent manner. Prolidase activity increased not only with NO donors but also with endogenous NO in cells transfected with iNOS. The effect of iNOS was abolished by treatment with S-methylisothiourea (SMT), a selective inhibitor of iNOS. However, with either exogenous or endogenous sources of NO, the increase in prolidase activity was not accompanied by increased prolidase expression. Therefore, we suspected phosphorylation of prolidase as a potential mechanism regulating enzyme activation. We observed increased serine/threonine phosphorylation on prolidase protein in cells treated with NO donors and in cells transfected with iNOS. To determinate the pathways that may mediate prolidase induction by NO, we first used 8-Br-cGMP, a cGMP agonist, and found that 8-Br-cGMP strongly and rapidly stimulated prolidase activity accompanied by increased phosphorylation. Rp-8-Br-pCPT-cGMP, an inhibitor of cGMP, reduced NO donor-stimulated prolidase activity to control levels. To test whether the MAPK pathway is involved in this NO-dependent activation, we used an ERK1/2 inhibitor and found that it had no effect on prolidase activity increased by NO donors. These results demonstrate that NO stimulates prolidase activity by increasing serine/threonine phosphorylation through PKG-cGMP pathway, but independent of MAPK and suggest an interaction between inflammatory signaling pathways and regulation of the terminal step of matrix degradation.
Insights
Nitric oxide (NO) enhances prolidase activity by increasing its phosphorylation through the PKG-cGMP pathway, independent of MAPK signaling. This reveals a novel link between NO signaling and matrix degradation regulation.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Signaling
Background:
- Prolidase is a key enzyme in collagen metabolism and matrix remodeling.
- Nitric oxide (NO) is a signaling molecule involved in processes like collagen synthesis and angiogenesis.
- The interaction between NO and prolidase activity was previously unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the regulatory effect of nitric oxide (NO) on prolidase activity.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying NO-mediated prolidase activation.
- To determine the signaling pathways involved in NO-dependent prolidase modulation.
Main Methods:
- Utilized NO donors (SIN-1, DETA/NO) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression to modulate NO levels.
- Assessed prolidase activity and expression in response to NO.
- Investigated protein phosphorylation, specifically serine/threonine phosphorylation on prolidase.
- Examined the roles of cGMP and MAPK pathways using agonists, inhibitors, and specific pathway inhibitors (e.g., Rp-8-Br-pCPT-cGMP, ERK1/2 inhibitor).
Main Results:
- Both exogenous and endogenous NO significantly increased prolidase activity in a time- and dose-dependent manner.
- Increased prolidase activity was not associated with altered prolidase expression.
- NO treatment led to increased serine/threonine phosphorylation of prolidase.
- Activation of the PKG-cGMP pathway mimicked NO's effect on prolidase activity and phosphorylation.
- Inhibition of cGMP signaling abolished NO-induced prolidase activation.
- The MAPK pathway (ERK1/2) was not involved in NO-dependent prolidase activation.
Conclusions:
- Nitric oxide stimulates prolidase activity via serine/threonine phosphorylation.
- The PKG-cGMP pathway mediates NO-dependent prolidase activation.
- MAPK signaling is not involved in this NO-mediated regulatory mechanism.
- This study highlights a novel interaction between NO signaling and the regulation of matrix degradation.
Related Concept Videos
Nitric Oxide Signaling Pathway
Transducer Mechanism: Enzyme-Linked Receptors
Major types that are helpful drug targets include:
Protein Kinases and Phosphatases
Protein kinases
Many proteins in the cell are regulated by phosphorylation, the addition of a phosphate group. A family of enzymes called kinases...
Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors
Among the PDE5 inhibitors, sildenafil (Revatio) stands out as a competitive and selective inhibitor. It operates by elevating cellular levels of cGMP and augmenting signaling through the cGMP-PKG pathway, promoting vasodilation. Upon oral...
Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply
Amplifying Signals via Enzymatic Cascade

