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.

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.

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