The structure and function of the matrix metalloproteinase gene family in <i>Chlamydomonas reinhardtii</i>

Kubo Takeaki

doi:10.18980/jjprotozool.39.1_47

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クラミドモナスのマトリクス・メタロプロテアーゼ・ファミリー
クラミドモナスノマトリクスメタロプロテアーゼファミリー

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<p>MMP (Matrix metalloproteinase) is a zinc-binding metalloproteinase functions in degrading and remodeling extracellular matrix (ECM). They identified in plants, in Arabidopsis, soybean, cucumber, or green algae Volvox. But the exact functions of MMP in plants are still not known. There are at least three matrix metalloprotease (MMP) genes in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii: 1) MMP1 gene encodes gametolysin (EC 3.4.24.38), which is responsible for removal of cell walls of gametes of both mating types during mating as a necessary prelude to cell fusion; 2) MMP2 gene is tandemly oriented with MMP1 gene and codes for a protein that is 54% identical to gametolysin; 3) MMP3 is found by a search of the EST library and codes for a protein with 65% identity to gametolysin. All three proteases have characteristic motifs of MMP. Specific antibodies were raised against the oligopeptides derived from cDNA sequences of MMP2 and MMP3, respectively. MMP2 was synthesized during 4–20 hrs after zygote cells</p>

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