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The Ehlers–Danlos syndromes (EDS) are a group of rare inherited connective tissue disorders. Vascular EDS (vEDS) is caused by pathogenic variants in COL3A1, most frequently glycine substitutions. We describe the phenotype of the largest series of vEDS patients with glutamic acid to lysine substitutions (Glu>Lys) in COL3A1, which were all previously considered to be variants of unknown significance. Clinical and molecular data for seven families with three different Glu>Lys substitutions in COL3A1 were analyzed. These Glu>Lys variants were reclassified from variants of unknown significance to either pathogenic or likely pathogenic in accordance with American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics guidelines. All individuals with these atypical variants exhibited skin hyperextensibility as seen in individuals with classical EDS and classical-like EDS and evidence of tissue fragility as seen in individuals with vEDS. The clinical data demonstrate the overlap between the different EDS subtypes and underline the importance of next-generation sequencing gene panel analysis. The three different Glu>Lys variants point toward a new variant type in COL3A1 causative of vEDS, which has consistent clinical features. This is important knowledge for COL3A1 variant interpretation. Further follow-up data are required to establish the severity of tissue fragility complications compared with patients with other recognized molecular causes of vEDS.

M13 is a filamentous, non-lytic bacteriophage that infects Escherichia coli via the F pilus. Currently, phage M13 is widely used in phage display technology and bio-nanotechnology, and is considered a possible antibacterial therapeutic agent, among other applications. Conventional phage purification involves 5-7 operational steps, with high operational costs and significant product loss (approximately 60%). In this work, we propose a scalable purification process for M13 bacteriophage using a novel stationary phase based on a polymeric ionic liquid (PIL) with a positively charged backbone structure. Poly (1-vinyl-3-ethyl imidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl) imide) - poly(VEIM-TFSI) predominantly acted as an anion exchanger under binding-elution mode. This revealed to be a rapid and simple method for the recovery of phage M13 with an overall separation yield of over 70% after a single downstream step. To the best of our knowledge, PILs have never been used as separation matrices for biological products and the results obtained, together with the large number of cations and anions available to prepare PILs, illustrate well the large potential of the proposed methodology.

Hemangiomas are the most common tumor of the liver and distinguishing them from malignancy is important. This is a report of 3 hemangiomas in 2 patients that exhibit transient washout of gadoxetate disodium (Eovist), relative to blood pool and liver parenchyma, a characteristic that is used to diagnose hepatocellular carcinoma in at-risk patients. It is important to recognize that high-flow hemangiomas can exhibit transient washout when using a small volume of injected contrast agent. This finding is unlikely to be present on CT examinations because of the larger volume of contrast administered.

Purpose To evaluate the utility of dynamic, contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in combination with single-shot T2-weighted (ssT2) sequences in the differentiation of lipid-poor adrenal adenomas from non-adenomas. Materials and methods This retrospective study was approved by the institutional review board and is HIPAA compliant. Between January 2007 and December 2010, 46 patients with MRI demonstrating a lipid-poor adrenal lesion who underwent either surgical resection or a minimum of 24 months of imaging follow-up were identified retrospectively. All images were retrospectively reviewed in blinded fashion by two radiologists. Each adrenal lesion was categorized by dynamic enhancement features and qualitative signal on ssT2 images and was categorized as an adenoma if it demonstrated homogenous enhancement in the arterial phase, washout with capsule enhancement in the delayed phase, and T2 signal isointense to normal adrenal tissue. Any lesion that did not fulfill all the criteria was classified as a non-adenoma. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy for characterization of adenoma were calculated for each reader with 95% confidence intervals. A κ test assessed level of agreement between readers. Results Application of our criteria lead to an MRI diagnosis of lipid-poor adrenal adenoma with a sensitivity of 84.2–89.5% (16/19–17/19), specificity of 96.3% (26/27), positive predictive value of 94.1–94.4% (16/17–17/18), negative predictive value of 89.7–92.9% (26/29–26/28), and accuracy of 91.3–93.5% (42/46–43/46). Agreement between the two readers showed substantial κ agreement for the differentiation of adenoma from non-adenoma. Conclusions Dynamic, contrast-enhanced T1-weighted three-dimensional gradient echo sequences in combination with ssT2 images can accurately differentiate lipid-poor adrenal adenomas from non-adenomas.

Binary systems composed of water and cholinium carboxylate ionic liquids, namely cholinium lactate ([Ch][Lac]), cholinium propanoate ([Ch][Prop]) and cholinium malonate ([Ch][Mal]) were studied from the neat ionic liquid to very diluted aqueous solutions. Densities and viscosities were measured and atypical behaviors were observed, such as the increasing density of the binary [Ch][Prop] + H2O mixtures with increasing water content. In order to get molecular level insights on the IL + H2O solvation schemes, 1H NMR studies were performed. Large deviations were obtained in the anions resonances when compared to those of the cation suggesting that water interacts preferentially with the anion counter-part of the ionic liquid. The increasing density of [Ch][Prop] + H2O system with increasing water content can be related to the orientation of the alkyl chains, as a result of their nanoscale organization. This behavior was confirmed through the study of the thermophysical properties of [Ch][Hex] + H2O mixtures, where this phenomenon is known to occur.

BMP-1/tolloid-like proteinases (BTPs) are major enzymes involved in extracellular matrix assembly and activation of bioactive molecules, both growth factors and anti-angiogenic molecules. Although the control of BTP activity by several enhancing molecules is well established, the possibility that regulation also occurs through endogenous inhibitors is still debated. Secreted frizzled-related proteins (sFRPs) have been studied as possible candidates, with highly contradictory results, after the demonstration that sizzled, a sFRP found in Xenopus and zebrafish, was a potent inhibitor of Xenopus and zebrafish tolloid-like proteases. In this study, we demonstrate that mammalian sFRP-1, -2, and -4 do not modify human BMP-1 activity on several of its known substrates including procollagen I, procollagen III, pN-collagen V, and prolysyl oxidase. In contrast, Xenopus sizzled appears as a tight binding inhibitor of human BMP-1, with a K(i) of 1.5 ± 0.5 nM, and is shown to strongly inhibit other human tolloid isoforms mTLD and mTLL-1. Because sizzled is the most potent inhibitor of human tolloid-like proteinases known to date, we have studied its mechanism of action in detail and shown that the frizzled domain of sizzled is both necessary and sufficient for inhibitory activity and that it acts directly on the catalytic domain of BMP-1. Residues in sizzled required for inhibition include Asp-92, which is shared by sFRP-1 and -2, and also Phe-94, Ser-43, and Glu-44, which are specific to sizzled, thereby providing a rational basis for the absence of inhibitory activity of human sFRPs.

We recently showed that the highly organized architecture of the corneal stroma could be reproduced using scaffolds consisting of orthogonally aligned multilayers of collagen fibrils prepared using a high magnetic field. Here we show that such scaffolds permit the reconstruction in vitro of human hemi-corneas (stroma + epithelium), using primary human keratocytes and limbal stem cell derived human keratinocytes. On the surface of these hemi-corneas, a well-differentiated epithelium was formed, as determined both histologically and ultrastructurally and by the expression of characteristic markers. Within the stroma, the keratocytes aligned with the directions of the fibrils in the scaffold and synthesized a new extracellular matrix with typical collagen markers and small, uniform diameter fibrils. Finally, in vivo experiments using a rabbit model showed that these orthogonally oriented multi-layer scaffolds could be used to repair the anterior region of the stroma, leading to re-epithelialization and recovery of both transparency and ultrastructural organization.

The netrin-like (NTR) domain is a feature of several extracellular proteins, most notably the N-terminal domain of tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), where it functions as a strong inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases and some other members of the metzincin superfamily. The presence of a C-terminal NTR domain in procollagen C-proteinase enhancers (PCPEs), proteins that stimulate the activity of astacin-like tolloid proteinases, raises the possibility that this might also have inhibitory activity. Here we show that both long and short forms of the PCPE-1 NTR domain, the latter beginning at the N-terminal cysteine known to be critical for TIMP activity, show no inhibition, at micromolar concentrations, of several members of the metzincin superfamily, including matrix metalloproteinase-2, bone morphogenetic protein-1 (a tolloid proteinase), and different ADAMTS (a disintegrin and a metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs) proteinases from the adamalysin family. In contrast, we report that the NTR domain within PCPE-1 leads to superstimulation of bone morphogenetic protein-1 activity in the presence of heparin and heparan sulfate. These observations point to a new mechanism whereby binding to cell surface-associated or extracellular heparin-like sulfated glycosaminoglycans might provide a means to accelerate procollagen processing in specific cellular and extracellular microenvironments.

Procollagen C-proteinase enhancers (PCPE-1 and -2) specifically activate bone morphogenetic protein-1 (BMP-1) and other members of the tolloid proteinase family during C-terminal processing of fibrillar collagen precursors. PCPEs consist of two CUB domains (CUB1 and CUB2) and one NTR domain separated by one short and one long linker. It was previously shown that PCPEs can strongly interact with procollagen molecules, but the exact mechanism by which they enhance BMP-1 activity remains largely unknown. Here, we used a series of deletion mutants of PCPE-1 and two chimeric constructs with repetitions of the same CUB domain to study the role of each domain and linker. Out of all the forms tested, only those containing both CUB1 and CUB2 were capable of enhancing BMP-1 activity and binding to a mini-procollagen substrate with nanomolar affinity. Both these properties were lost by individual CUB domains, which had dissociation constants at least three orders of magnitude higher. In addition, none of the constructs tested could inhibit PCPE activity, although CUB2CUB2NTR was found to modulate BMP-1 activity through direct complex formation with the enzyme, resulting in a decreased rate of substrate processing. Finally, increasing the length of the short linker between CUB1 and CUB2 was without detrimental effect on both activity and substrate binding. These data support the conclusion that CUB1 and CUB2 bind to the procollagen substrate in a cooperative manner, involving the short linker that provides a flexible tether linking the two binding regions.

The creation of 3D scaffolds that mimic the structure of physiological tissue required for normal cell function is a major bioengineering challenge. For corneal stroma reconstruction this necessitates the creation of a stroma-like scaffold consisting of a stack of orthogonally disposed sheets of aligned collagen fibrils. This study demonstrates that such a scaffold can be built up using magnetic alignment. By allowing neutralized acid-soluble type I collagen to gel in a horizontal magnetic field (7 T) and by combining a series of gelation-rotation-gelation cycles, a scaffold of orthogonal lamellac composed of aligned collagen fibrils has been formed. Although initially dilute, the gels can be concentrated without noticeable loss in orientation. The gels are translucent but their transparency can be greatly improved by the addition of proteoglycans to the gel-forming solution. Keratocytes align by contact guidance along the direction of collagen fibrils and respect the orthogonal design of the collagen template as they penetrate into the bulk of the 3D matrix. The scaffold is a significant step towards the creation of a corneal substitute with properties resembling those of native corneal stroma. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Procollagen C-proteinase enhancers (PCPE-1 and -2) are extracellular glycoproteins that can stimulate the C-terminal processing of fibrillar procollagens by tolloid proteinases such as bone morphogenetic protein-1. They consist of two CUB domains (CUB1 and -2) that alone account for PCPE-enhancing activity and one C-terminal NTR domain. CUB domains are found in several extracellular and plasma membrane-associated proteins, many of which are proteases. We have modeled the structure of the CUB1 domain of PCPE-1 based on known three-dimensional structures of CUB-containing proteins. Sequence alignment shows conserved amino acids, notably two acidic residues (Asp-68 and Asp-109) involved in a putative surface-located calcium binding site, as well as a conserved tyrosine residue (Tyr-67). In addition, three residues (Glu-26, Thr-89, and Phe-90) are found only in PCPE CUB1 domains, in putative surface-exposed loops. Among the conserved residues, it was found that mutations of Asp-68 and Asp-109 to alanine almost completely abolished PCPE-1 stimulating activity, whereas mutation of Tyr-67 led to a smaller reduction of activity. Among residues specific to PCPEs, mutation of Glu-26 and Thr-89 had little effect, whereas mutation of Phe-90 dramatically decreased the activity. Changes in activity were paralleled by changes in binding of different PCPE-1 mutants to a mini-procollagen III substrate, as shown by surface plasmon resonance. We conclude that PCPE-stimulating activity requires a calcium binding motif in the CUB1 domain that is highly conserved among CUB-containing proteins but also that PCPEs contain specific sites that could become targets for the development of novel anti-fibrotic therapies.

Members of the bone morphogenetic protein-1/tolloid (BMP-1/Tld) family of metalloproteinases, also known as procollagen C-proteinases (PCPs), control multiple biological events (including matrix assembly, cross-linking, cell adhesion/migration and pattern formation) through enzymatic processing of several extracellular substrates. PCP activities on fibrillar procollagens can be stimulated by another family of extracellular proteins, PCP enhancers (PCPE-1, PCPE-2), which lack intrinsic enzymatic activity. While PCPs have multiple substrates, the extent to which PCPEs is involved in the processing of proteins other than fibrillar procollagens is unknown. In the experiments reported here, PCPE-1 was found to have no effect on the in vitro BMP-1 processing of procollagen VII, the procollagen V N-propeptide, the laminin 5 γ2 chain, osteoglycin, prolysyl oxidase, or chordin. In contrast, PCPE-1 enhanced C-terminal processing of human fibrillar procollagen III but only when this substrate was in its native, disulfide-bonded conformation. Surprisingly, processing of procollagen III continued to be enhanced when essentially all the triple-helical region was removed. These and previous results (Ricard-Blum, S., Bernocco, S., Font, B., Moali, C., Eichenberger, D., Farjanel, J., Burchardt, E. R., van der Rest, M., Kessler, E., and Hulmes, D. J. S. (2002) J. Biol. Chem. 277, 33864-33869; Bernocco, S., Steiglitz, B. M., Svergun, D. I., Petoukhov, M. V., Ruggiero, F., Ricard-Blum, S., Ebel, C., Geourjon, C., Deleage, G., Font, B., Eichenberger, D., Greenspan, D. S., and Hulmes, D. J. S. (2003) J. Biol. Chem. 278, 7199-7205) indicate that the mechanism of PCPE-1 action involves recognition sites in both the C-propeptide domain and in the C-telopeptide region of the procollagen molecule. PCPEs therefore define a new class of extracellular adaptor proteins that stimulate proteinase activity in a substrate-specific manner, thereby providing a new target for the selective regulation of PCP activity on fibrillar procollagen substrates.

Alpha-helical coiled-coils are widely occurring protein oligomerization motifs. Here we show that most members of the collagen superfamily contain short, repeating heptad sequences typical of coiled coils. Such sequences are found at the N-terminal ends of the C-propeptide domains in all fibrillar procollagens. When fused C-terminal to a reporter molecule containing a collagen-like sequence that does not spontaneously trimerize, the C-propeptide heptad repeats induced trimerization. C-terminal heptad repeats were also found in the oligomerization domains of the multiplexins (collagens XV and XVIII). N-terminal heptad repeats are known to drive trimerization in transmembrane collagens, whereas fibril-associated collagens with interrupted triple helices, as well as collagens VII, XIII, XXIII, and XXV, were found to contain heptad repeats between collagen domains. Finally, heptad repeats were found in the von Willebrand factor A domains known to be involved in trimerization of collagen VI, as well as in collagen VII. These observations suggest that coiled-coil oligomerization domains are widely used in the assembly of collagens and collagen-like proteins.

Recently several cDNAs have been described encoding lysyl oxidase-like proteins. Their deduced amino acid sequences are characterized by a strong similarity in the C-terminal region, corresponding to the lysyl oxidase family catalytic domain, and by marked differences in the N-terminal regions. Different biological functions have been described for lysyl oxidases in addition to their traditionally assumed cross-linking role. To answer the question of whether these different functions are carried out by different lysyl oxidases, purified and active forms of these enzymes are required. At present only the classical form of lysyl oxidase has been purified and characterized. The purpose of this study was to isolate and characterize the lysyl oxidase-like protein. In view of the strong sequence homology with the C-terminal domain of other lysyl oxidases, we chose to purify the protein from bovine aorta using antibodies specific to the N-terminal domain of the proenzyme. We have isolated a 56-kDa protein identified by amino acid sequencing as the bovine lysyl oxidase-like precursor, which is cleaved at the Arg-Arg-Arg sequence at positions 89-91 by a furin-like activity, as revealed after deblocking of the N-terminal residue. The immunopurified protein was largely inactive, but further processing in vitro by bone morphogenetic protein-1 led to an enzyme that was active on elastin and collagen substrates.

Although the collagen V heterotrimer is known to be involved in the control of fibril assembly, the role of the homotrimer in fibrillar organization has not yet been examined. Here, the production of substantial amounts of recombinant collagen V homotrimer has allowed a detailed study of its role in homotypic and heterotypic fibril formation. After removal of terminal regions by pepsin digestion, both the collagen V heterotrimer and homotrimer formed thin homotypic fibrils, thus showing that diameter limitation is at least in part an intrinsic property of the collagen V triple helix. When mixed with collagen I, however, various complementary approaches indicated that the collagen V heterotrimer and homotrimer exerted different effects in heterotypic fibril formation. Unlike the heterotrimer, which was buried in the fibril interior, the homotrimer was localized as thin filamentous structures at the surface of wide collagen I fibrils and did not regulate fibril assembly. Its localization at the fibril surface suggests that the homotrimer can act as a molecular linker between collagen fibrils or macromolecules in the extracellular matrix or both. Thus, depending on their respective distribution in tissues, the different collagen V isoforms might fulfill specific biological functions.

The precise molecular mechanisms that determine the three-dimensional architectures of tissues remain largely unknown. Within tissues rich in extracellular matrix, collagen fibrils are frequently arranged in a tissue-specific manner, as in certain liquid crystals. For example, the continuous twist between fibrils in compact bone osteons resembles a cholesteric mesophase, while in tendon, the regular, planar undulation, or “crimp”, is akin to a precholesteric mesophase. Such analogies suggest that liquid crystalline organisation plays a role in the determination of tissue form, but it is hard to see how insoluble fibrils could spontaneously and specifically rearrange in this way. Collagen molecules, in dilute acid solution, are known to form nematic, precholesteric and cholesteric phases, but the relevance to physiological assembly mechanisms is unclear. In vivo , fibrillar collagens are synthesised in soluble precursor form, procollagens, with terminal propeptide extensions. Here, we show, by polarized light microscopy of highly concentrated (5–30 mg/ml) viscous drops, that procollagen molecules in physiological buffer conditions can also develop long-range nematic and precholesteric liquid crystalline ordering extending over 100 μm 2 domains, while remaining in true solution. These observations suggest the novel concept that supra-fibrillar tissue architecture is determined by the ability of soluble precursor molecules to form liquid crystalline arrays, prior to fibril assembly.

The morphology and basic biochemical composition of articular cartilage from two strains of fowl were examined. Broiler breeder fowl are considered susceptible to degenerative joint disease (DJD); histological examination of one-year-old broiler breeders showed in some samples, articular cartilage thinning, fibrillation and chondrocyte cluster formation, features considered typical of DJD. Examination of similar samples from laying strain fowl showed only minor age-related changes such as some slight cartilage thinning and very mild fibrillation. The articular cartilage from the broiler breeder birds was significantly more hydrated with a higher uronic acid content than that of the laying strain birds. In addition, unloaded articular surfaces such as the proximal humerus had significantly higher amounts of uronic acid than the loaded cartilage surfaces of the proximal tarsometatarsus and the distal tibiotarsus; this suggested that the joint loading may have a role in any biochemical differences found between joints and between strains of fowl. These findings concur with other reports in mammals that showed increased hydration and uronic acid in association with early DJD and in models of osteoarthritis (OA). Thus, despite some differences between avian and mammalian articular cartilage, studies on avian DJD may give insights into mammalian disease.

Collagen fibrils resemble smectic, liquid crystals in being highly ordered axially but relatively disordered laterally. In some connective tissues, x-ray diffraction reveals three-dimensional crystallinity in the molecular packing within fibrils, although the continued presence of diffuse scatter indicates significant underlying disorder. In addition, several observations from electron microscopy suggest that the molecular packing is organized concentrically about the fibril core. In the present work, theoretical equatorial x-ray diffraction patterns for a number of models for collagen molecular packing are calculated and compared with the experimental data from tendon fibrils. None of the models suggested previously can account for both the crystalline Bragg peaks and the underlying diffuse scatter. In addition, models in which any of the nearest-neighbor, intermolecular vectors are perpendicular to the radial direction are inconsistent with the observed radial orientation of the principal approximately 4 nm Bragg spacing. Both multiple-start spiral and concentric ring models are devised in which one of the nearest-neighbor vectors is along the radial direction. These models are consistent with the radial orientation of the approximately 4 nm spacing, and energy minimization results in radially oriented crystalline domains separated by disordered grain boundaries. Theoretical x-ray diffraction patterns show a combination of sharp Bragg peaks and underlying diffuse scatter. Close agreement with the observed equatorial diffraction pattern is obtained. The concentric ring model is consistent with the observation that the diameters of collagen fibrils are restricted to discrete values.Collagen fibrils resemble smectic, liquid crystals in being highly ordered axially but relatively disordered laterally. In some connective tissues, x-ray diffraction reveals three-dimensional crystallinity in the molecular packing within fibrils, although the continued presence of diffuse scatter indicates significant underlying disorder. In addition, several observations from electron microscopy suggest that the molecular packing is organized concentrically about the fibril core. In the present work, theoretical equatorial x-ray diffraction patterns for a number of models for collagen molecular packing are calculated and compared with the experimental data from tendon fibrils. None of the models suggested previously can account for both the crystalline Bragg peaks and the underlying diffuse scatter. In addition, models in which any of the nearest-neighbor, intermolecular vectors are perpendicular to the radial direction are inconsistent with the observed radial orientation of the principal approximately 4 nm Bragg spacing. Both multiple-start spiral and concentric ring models are devised in which one of the nearest-neighbor vectors is along the radial direction. These models are consistent with the radial orientation of the approximately 4 nm spacing, and energy minimization results in radially oriented crystalline domains separated by disordered grain boundaries. Theoretical x-ray diffraction patterns show a combination of sharp Bragg peaks and underlying diffuse scatter. Close agreement with the observed equatorial diffraction pattern is obtained. The concentric ring model is consistent with the observation that the diameters of collagen fibrils are restricted to discrete values.

Biochemical determinations of the collagen and elastin content in 50 mm3 samples of human lung are presented in relation to morphometric measurements of lung structure, as the amount of alveolar wall surface area per unit volume (AWUV), on adjacent slices. There were no differences in AWUV values, collagen content (determined as hydroxyproline) or elastin content (determined as isodesmosine) between upper and lower lobes within a single lung. In a study of 102 samples from 9 smokers lungs with no evidence of macro- or microscopic emphysema (as estimated by AWUV measurement), there was a negative correlation between AWUV and the amounts of collagen or elastin per unit volume of inflated lung. The correlation was stronger when collagen and elastin content were expressed per unit area of alveolar wall. The negative correlation is interpreted as representing either the anatomical variation within the complex hierarchy of normal lung structure or possibly low levels of fibrosis in response to cigarette smoking.Biochemical determinations of the collagen and elastin content in 50 mm3 samples of human lung are presented in relation to morphometric measurements of lung structure, as the amount of alveolar wall surface area per unit volume (AWUV), on adjacent slices. There were no differences in AWUV values, collagen content (determined as hydroxyproline) or elastin content (determined as isodesmosine) between upper and lower lobes within a single lung. In a study of 102 samples from 9 smokers lungs with no evidence of macro- or microscopic emphysema (as estimated by AWUV measurement), there was a negative correlation between AWUV and the amounts of collagen or elastin per unit volume of inflated lung. The correlation was stronger when collagen and elastin content were expressed per unit area of alveolar wall. The negative correlation is interpreted as representing either the anatomical variation within the complex hierarchy of normal lung structure or possibly low levels of fibrosis in response to cigarette smoking.

This study associated two temperament measures: The Rothbart Infant Behavior Questionnaire (IBQ) and the Goldsmith and Rothbart Laboratory Temperament Assessment Battery. Seventy-one infants were observed. Mothers completed the IBQ. Observed anger related to reported distress to limitations, whereas pleasure expressions related to reported smiling and laughter.

Tyrosine-rich acidic matrix protein (TRAMP) is a recently discovered protein that co-purifies with porcine skin lysyl oxidase and is equivalent to the M(r) 22,000 extracellular matrix protein from bovine skin that co-purifies with dermatan sulfate proteoglycans (Cronshaw, A. D., MacBeath, J. R. E., Shackleton, D. R., Collins, J. F., Fothergill-Gilmore, L. A., and Hulmes, D. J. S. (1993) Matrix 13, 255-266; Neame, P. J., Choi, H. U., and Rosenberg, L. C. (1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264, 5474-5479). The effect of TRAMP on collagen fibril formation was studied in vitro by reconstitution of fibrils from lathyritic rat skin collagen I. Fibril formation was initiated by the warm start procedure, in which acidic collagen solutions and double strength neutral buffer, both preincubated separately at 34 degrees C, were mixed. When monitored by turbidimetry, TRAMP was found to accelerate collagen fibril formation. Acceleration occurred at sub-stoichiometric molar ratios of TRAMP collagen, and the presence of TRAMP stabilized the fibrils against low temperature dissociation. It was confirmed by centrifugation that the amount of fibrillar collagen formed in the presence of TRAMP was greater than in its absence. By SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and scanning densitometry, binding of TRAMP to collagen was detected that approached saturation with a molar ratio of TRAMP to collagen of approximately 1:2. Fibrils formed in the presence of TRAMP were normal when observed by electron microscopy, although fibril diameters were smaller than the controls. TRAMP was found to partially reverse the inhibitory effects of urea and increased ionic strength on the kinetics of fibril formation, although inhibition by glucose was unaffected. TRAMP also accelerated the assembly of pepsin-treated collagen, where the non-helical, telopeptide regions were partially removed. Acceleration of collagen fibril formation by TRAMP is discussed in the light of the known effects of other extracellular matrix components on this process.Tyrosine-rich acidic matrix protein (TRAMP) is a recently discovered protein that co-purifies with porcine skin lysyl oxidase and is equivalent to the M(r) 22,000 extracellular matrix protein from bovine skin that co-purifies with dermatan sulfate proteoglycans (Cronshaw, A. D., MacBeath, J. R. E., Shackleton, D. R., Collins, J. F., Fothergill-Gilmore, L. A., and Hulmes, D. J. S. (1993) Matrix 13, 255-266; Neame, P. J., Choi, H. U., and Rosenberg, L. C. (1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264, 5474-5479). The effect of TRAMP on collagen fibril formation was studied in vitro by reconstitution of fibrils from lathyritic rat skin collagen I. Fibril formation was initiated by the warm start procedure, in which acidic collagen solutions and double strength neutral buffer, both preincubated separately at 34 degrees C, were mixed. When monitored by turbidimetry, TRAMP was found to accelerate collagen fibril formation. Acceleration occurred at sub-stoichiometric molar ratios of TRAMP collagen, and the presence of TRAMP stabilized the fibrils against low temperature dissociation. It was confirmed by centrifugation that the amount of fibrillar collagen formed in the presence of TRAMP was greater than in its absence. By SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and scanning densitometry, binding of TRAMP to collagen was detected that approached saturation with a molar ratio of TRAMP to collagen of approximately 1:2. Fibrils formed in the presence of TRAMP were normal when observed by electron microscopy, although fibril diameters were smaller than the controls. TRAMP was found to partially reverse the inhibitory effects of urea and increased ionic strength on the kinetics of fibril formation, although inhibition by glucose was unaffected. TRAMP also accelerated the assembly of pepsin-treated collagen, where the non-helical, telopeptide regions were partially removed. Acceleration of collagen fibril formation by TRAMP is discussed in the light of the known effects of other extracellular matrix components on this process.

A protein ( M r 24 K) that co-purifies with porcine skin lysyl oxidase ( M r 34 K) has been isolated and characterised. Five variants of the 24 K protein were identified by Mono Q ion-exchange FPLC, as were four variants of lysyl oxidase. Amino acid analysis and partial sequencing revealed near identity of a 36-residue CNBr peptide from porcine skin lysyl oxidase to corresponding regions of the putative lysyl oxidase precursor derived from rat and human cDNA. The 24 K protein was found to be unrelated to lysyl oxidase, but comparison with a protein sequence database showed it to be the same as a recently described protein from bovine skin that is associated with dermatan sulphate proteoglycans. The 24 K protein is relatively rich in tyrosine, and isoelectric focussing shows it to be acidic, with pI's in the range 4.1 to 4.4. In view of these properties, we propose the name TRAMP (Tyrosine Rich Acidic Matrix Protein) to identify this protein. Though TRAMP appears not to be glycosylated, several experiments indicate the presence of sulphotyrosine residues. When assayed using an elastin substrate, the activity of lysyl oxidase is unaffected by TRAMP.

Using antibodies to the procollagen C-proteinase enhancer of mouse fibroblast culture medium, we have screened by immunoblotting extracts of several post natal mouse and rat tissues for the presence of the enhancer antigen. All rodent connective tissues were relatively rich in enhancer; lower amounts were found in skeletal muscle and heart and essentially no enhancer was detected in kidney, liver or brain. The amounts of enhancer in mouse tendon and calvaria extracts were age related, with highest amounts in 11 and 19 d tendons and in 1 d calvaria-the times of rapid growth of these organs. The results suggest that procollagen C-proteinase enhancer is a specific connective tissue glycoprotein that is likely to regulate procollagen processing in vivo.Using antibodies to the procollagen C-proteinase enhancer of mouse fibroblast culture medium, we have screened by immunoblotting extracts of several post natal mouse and rat tissues for the presence of the enhancer antigen. All rodent connective tissues were relatively rich in enhancer; lower amounts were found in skeletal muscle and heart and essentially no enhancer was detected in kidney, liver or brain. The amounts of enhancer in mouse tendon and calvaria extracts were age related, with highest amounts in 11 and 19 d tendons and in 1 d calvaria-the times of rapid growth of these organs. The results suggest that procollagen C-proteinase enhancer is a specific connective tissue glycoprotein that is likely to regulate procollagen processing in vivo.

A modification of the original microdistillation assay for lysyl oxidase is described in which Amicon C-10 microconcentrators are used to separate, by ultrafiltration, the 3H-labeled products released from a [4,5-3H]-lysine-labeled elastin substrate. Enzyme activity is determined by scintillation counting of the ultrafiltrate, after subtraction of radioactivity released in the presence of beta-aminopropionitrile, a specific inhibitor of the enzyme. Conditions are described which optimize both the sensitivity and the efficient use of substrate. The assay shows linear inhibition of activity in up to 1 M urea; hence, as the enzyme is normally diluted in the assay, samples in 6 M urea can be assayed directly, without prior dialysis, and corrected for partial inhibition. Comparable results are obtained when enzyme activity is assayed by ultrafiltration or microdistillation. The assay is simple and convenient and, by using disposable containers throughout, it eliminates the need for time-consuming decontamination of radioactive glassware.A modification of the original microdistillation assay for lysyl oxidase is described in which Amicon C-10 microconcentrators are used to separate, by ultrafiltration, the 3H-labeled products released from a [4,5-3H]-lysine-labeled elastin substrate. Enzyme activity is determined by scintillation counting of the ultrafiltrate, after subtraction of radioactivity released in the presence of beta-aminopropionitrile, a specific inhibitor of the enzyme. Conditions are described which optimize both the sensitivity and the efficient use of substrate. The assay shows linear inhibition of activity in up to 1 M urea; hence, as the enzyme is normally diluted in the assay, samples in 6 M urea can be assayed directly, without prior dialysis, and corrected for partial inhibition. Comparable results are obtained when enzyme activity is assayed by ultrafiltration or microdistillation. The assay is simple and convenient and, by using disposable containers throughout, it eliminates the need for time-consuming decontamination of radioactive glassware.