Generation and activity of the ternary gelatinase B/TIMP-1/LMW-stromelysin-1 complex

Incubation of progelatinase B, isolated from human polymorphonuclear leukocytes, with TIMP-1 leads to the formation of the progelatinase B/TIMP-1 complex. This complex behaves like a Janus in a similar manner as we previously described for the progelatinase A/TIMP-2 complex. It shows the properties of TIMP-1 and is a better inhibitor for gelatinase A than for gelatinase B. Treatment with trypsin leads to activation of the binary complex. The activity, however, amounts only to slightly more than 10% of the activity of free gelatinase B, not complexed with TIMP-1. When the progelatinase B/TIMP-1 complex inhibits an active matrix metalloproteinase, a ternary complex is generated that after activation displays a distinct higher proteolytic activity than the active binary complex. The active binary complex cannot be transformed into the active ternary complex.