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1: Science. 1999 Oct 1;286(5437):113-7.Click here to read Links

Regulation of intestinal alpha-defensin activation by the metalloproteinase matrilysin in innate host defense.

Wilson CL, Ouellette AJ, Satchell DP, Ayabe T, López-Boado YS, Stratman JL, Hultgren SJ, Matrisian LM, Parks WC.

Department of Pediatrics, Division of Allergy and Pulmonary Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA. wilson_c@kids.wustl.edu

Precursors of alpha-defensin peptides require activation for bactericidal activity. In mouse small intestine, matrilysin colocalized with alpha-defensins (cryptdins) in Paneth cell granules, and in vitro it cleaved the pro segment from cryptdin precursors. Matrilysin-deficient (MAT-/-) mice lacked mature cryptdins and accumulated precursor molecules. Intestinal peptide preparations from MAT-/- mice had decreased antimicrobial activity. Orally administered bacteria survived in greater numbers and were more virulent in MAT-/- mice than in MAT+/+ mice. Thus, matrilysin functions in intestinal mucosal defense by regulating the activity of defensins, which may be a common role for this metalloproteinase in its numerous epithelial sites of expression.

PMID: 10506557 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]