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Expression of the membrane-type 3 matrix metalloproteinase (MT3-MMP) in human brain tissues
1Department of Neurology, Chiba University, Japan. yoshiyam@mx2.nisiq.net
Abstract:
Membrane-type 3 matrix metalloproteinase (MT3-MMP) is a novel MT-MMP which has a transmembrane domain at the C terminus, and mediates activation of pro-gelatinase A, just as does MT1-MMP. Previously, we reported that MT1-MMP was expressed on microglial cells only in the white matter [Yamada T, Yoshiyama Y, Sato H, Seiki M, Shinagawa A, Takahashi M (1995) Acta Neuropathol 90:421-424]. In the present study of both non-neurological and Alzheimer brain tissues, we examined the localization of MT3-MMP by immunohistochemistry. Anti-MT3-MMP antibodies gave positive staining of microglial cells in all brain tissues. Positively stained microglia were found not only in the white matter but also in the gray matter. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction for MT3-MMP mRNA showed the same amount of expression in gray and white matters, while that for gelatinase A and MT1-MMP mRNA expressed much higher in the white matter than in the gray matter. These results suggest that MT3-MMP may play a role on microglial cells, although its role may be different from MT1-MMP in the brain.
Insights
Membrane-type 3 matrix metalloproteinase (MT3-MMP) is found in brain microglial cells in both gray and white matter. This differs from MT1-MMP, suggesting a distinct role for MT3-MMP in brain function.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Membrane-type 3 matrix metalloproteinase (MT3-MMP) is a metalloproteinase with a transmembrane domain.
- MT3-MMP, like MT1-MMP, activates pro-gelatinase A.
- Previous studies indicated MT1-MMP expression in microglial cells, specifically in white matter.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the localization of MT3-MMP in non-neurological and Alzheimer's disease brain tissues.
- To compare the expression patterns of MT3-MMP with MT1-MMP and gelatinase A in gray and white matter.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry using anti-MT3-MMP antibodies to detect protein localization.
- Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to analyze mRNA expression levels.
Main Results:
- MT3-MMP protein was detected in microglial cells throughout both gray and white matter in all examined brain tissues.
- MT3-MMP mRNA expression was found to be similar in both gray and white matter.
- In contrast, gelatinase A and MT1-MMP mRNA expression was significantly higher in white matter compared to gray matter.
Conclusions:
- MT3-MMP is expressed in microglial cells across different brain regions, including gray matter.
- The expression pattern of MT3-MMP suggests a potentially different functional role in microglial cells compared to MT1-MMP.