Caveolin-1 inhibits matrix metalloproteinase-2 activity in the heart

A K Chow1, J Cena, A F El-Yazbi

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Cardiovascular Research Group, University of Alberta, 4-62 Heritage Medical Research Centre, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2S2.

Insights

Caveolin-1 (Cav-1) regulates matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) activity in cardiac myocytes. Loss of Cav-1 enhances MMP-2 activity, suggesting Cav-1 is a novel regulator of MMP-2 in the heart.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Biology
  • Molecular Cardiology
  • Protein Regulation

Background:

  • Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) has intracellular roles in cardiac myocytes.
  • Caveolin-1 (Cav-1) localizes to caveolae and may regulate MMP-2.
  • The role of Cav-1 in cardiac MMP-2 regulation is currently unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of Caveolin-1 (Cav-1) in regulating matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) activity within the heart.
  • To determine if Cav-1 influences MMP-2 levels or activity in cardiac tissue.

Main Methods:

  • Isolated hearts from Cav-1 knockout (Cav-1(-/-)) and wild-type (Cav-1(+/+)) mice.
  • Preparation of heart extracts and lipid raft-enriched membrane fractions.
  • Assay of MMP-2 activity and protein levels; in vitro inhibition assay using purified Cav-1 scaffolding domain (CSD).

Main Results:

  • MMP-2 activity was significantly increased in Cav-1(-/-) hearts compared to Cav-1(+/+) hearts, with no change in protein levels.
  • MMP-2 activity and protein levels were reduced in lipid raft fractions from Cav-1(-/-) hearts.
  • Purified CSD inhibited MMP-2 activity in a concentration-dependent manner in vitro.

Conclusions:

  • Caveolin-1 (Cav-1) plays a significant role in regulating matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) activity in the heart.
  • Cav-1 may represent a novel mechanism for controlling MMP-2 activity in cardiac myocytes.
  • The caveolin scaffolding domain (CSD) appears to directly inhibit MMP-2 activity.