This study suggests that proteolytic inactivation of alpha-1 protease inhibitor by matrix metallopeptidase-12 may amplify the inflammatory response by stimulating the directed migration of neutrophils.

In MEROPS, the nicksite was Pro357-Met358. After proteolysis of alpha-1 protease inhibitor by matrix metallopeptidase-12, the two resulting fragments remain associated with each other and have been referred to as the living fragment of a-PI. Proteolytically inactivated alpha-1 protease inhibitor is a potent chemotactic factor for human neutophils at a concentration of 1 nm and fragment 4.2 kDa is responsible for chemotactic activity.

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Created at : Last updated by: Isola
Affiliation : Institute of Cytology&Genetics SB RAS
Last updated at: Fri Jan 05 02:13:01 PST 2007