Catalytic domain comparisons of human fibroblast-type collagenase, stromelysin-1, and matrilysin

The propeptide plus the catalytic domain of human fibroblast-type collagenase, stromelysin-1, and matrilysin were expressed in Escherichia coli to directly compare the properties of all three catalytic domains utilizing the same assays. Truncated fibroblast-type collagenase (mini-CL), truncated stromelysin-1 (mini-SL-1), and matrilysin, like their native counterparts, could be activated by organomercurials, trypsin, or SDS. The mini-CL and mini-SL-1 displayed catalytic properties similar to their native counterparts, except that the mini-CL could not cleave native type I collagen. The k(cat)/Km for matrilysin (355 microM(-1) h(-1)) on the synthetic Mca-peptide was much higher than that for mini-CL (69 microM(-1) h(-1)) or mini-SL-1 (23.6 microM(-1) h(-1)). Mini-SL-1 and matrilysin, but not mini-CL, were capable of superactivating collagenase thus increasing the rate of collagen cleavage. Mini-CL and mini-SL-1, but not matrilysin, were able to form SDS-stable complexes with TIMP-1 when co-incubated with an organomercurial and TIMP-1. The second-order rate constant (k(on)) for TIMP-1 inhibition of mini-CL and mini-SL-1 were similar, 0.635 x 10(5) M(-1) s(-1) and 1.52 x 10(5) M(-1) s(-1), respectively. The k(on) for TIMP-1 inhibition of matrilysin was lower (0.130 x 10(5) M(-1) s(-1)) supporting the observation that no SDS stable complexes were detected. This study demonstrates that these catalytic domains are distinct and play a major role in the specificity of these enzymes in regard to rate of catalysis, TIMP-1 binding, and superactivation of collagenase.