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HPSE‐1 expression and functionality in differentiating neural cells
Author(s) -
Moretti Massimo,
SinnappahKang Neeta Devi,
Toller Matteo,
Curcio Francesco,
Marchetti Dario
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
journal of neuroscience research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.72
H-Index - 160
eISSN - 1097-4547
pISSN - 0360-4012
DOI - 10.1002/jnr.20753
Subject(s) - heparanase , extracellular matrix , heparan sulfate , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , cellular differentiation , extracellular , cell , enzyme , biochemistry , cancer cell , chemistry , cancer , gene , genetics
The study of cellular differentiation encompasses many vital parts of biology and medicine. Heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPG) are essential and ubiquitous macromolecules associated with the cell surface and extracellular matrix (ECM) of a wide range of cells and tissues. Heparan sulfate chains (HS) of HSPG bind and sequester a multitude of extracellular ligands, including growth factors, cytokines, chemokines, enzymes, and lipoproteins. Enzymatic degradation of HS is therefore involved in processes such as cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation. Heparanase (HPSE‐1) is an HS degradative enzyme associated with inflammation and lipid metabolism and is a critical molecular determinant in cancer metastasis. The enzyme acts as an endo‐β‐D‐glucuronidase, which degrades HS at specific intrachain sites, resulting in HS fragments of discrete molecular weights that retain biological function. HPSE‐1's relevance as the only example of cloned/purified mammalian HS degradative enzyme led us to investigate its functionality in human olfactory epithelium (HOE) cells as a paradigm for HPSE‐1's roles in neural cell differentiation. We provide the first evidence of 1) HPSE‐1 presence in HOE cells and 2) a highly significant increase of HPSE‐1 mRNA and enzyme activity in differentiating vs. proliferating HOE cells. Our data suggest that an augmented HPSE‐1 activity may represent a physiological mechanism involved in neural cellular differentiation. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.