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Overexpression of matrix metalloproteinases leads to lethality in transgenic Xenopus laevis : Implications for tissue‐dependent functions of matrix metalloproteinases during late embryonic development
Author(s) -
Damjanovski Sashko,
Amano Tosikazu,
Li Qing,
Pei Duanqing,
Shi YunBo
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
developmental dynamics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.634
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1097-0177
pISSN - 1058-8388
DOI - 10.1002/dvdy.1123
Subject(s) - xenopus , matrix metalloproteinase , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , extracellular matrix , embryogenesis , embryonic stem cell , embryo , genetics , gene
Abstract The extracellular matrix (ECM) functions as the structural support of cells and as a medium for cell–cell interactions. It is understood to play critical roles in development. ECM remodeling is mediated largely through the action of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), a family of Zn 2+ ‐dependent proteases capable of degrading various proteinaceous components of the ECM. MMPs are expressed in many developmental and pathologic processes. However, few studies have been carried out to investigate the function of MMPs during embryogenesis and postembryonic organogenesis. By using Xenopus development as a model system, we have previously shown that several MMP genes are expressed from neurulation to the completion of embryogenesis in distinct tissues/organs, suggesting that ECM remodeling during mid‐ to late embryogenesis occurs in an organ‐specific manner. By using the recently developed transgenic technology for Xenopus laevis , we overexpressed Xenopus MMPs stromelysin‐3 (ST3) and collagenase‐4 (Col4) under the control of a ubiquitous promoter and observed that embryos with overexpressed ST3 or Col4, but not the control green fluorescent protein (GFP), died in a dose‐dependent manner during late embryogenesis. The specificity of this embryonic lethal phenotype was confirmed by the failure of a catalytically inactive mutant of ST3 to affect development. Finally, overexpression of a mammalian membrane type‐MMP also led to late embryonic lethality in Xenopus embryos, suggesting that membrane type‐MMPs have functions in vivo for ECM remodeling, in addition to being activators of other pro‐MMPs. These data together with the developmental expression of several MMPs during Xenopus development, suggest that MMPs play important roles during mid‐ to late embryogenesis and that proper regulation of MMP genes is critical for tissue morphogenesis and organogenesis. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.