https://www.auburn.edu/academic/classes/biol/6190/refs/L04/1-s2.0-S0092867402009716-main.pdf

Integrins: Bidirectional, Allosteric Signaling Machines

Cell migration is a highly integrated multistep process that orchestrates embryonic morphogenesis; contributes to tissue repair and regeneration; and drives disease progression in cancer, mental retardation, atherosclerosis, and arthritis. The migrating cell is highly polarized with complex regulatory pathways that spatially and temporally integrate its component processes. This review describes the mechanisms underlying the major steps of migration and the signaling pathways that regulate them, and outlines recent advances investigating the nature of polarity in migrating cells and the pathways that establish it.

/pdf/cell-migration-integrating-signals-from-front-to-back-g0h3q2xs5i.pdf

Cell migration: integrating signals from front to back.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), also designated matrixins, hydrolyze components of the extracellular matrix. These proteinases play a central role in many biological processes, such as embryogenesis, normal tissue remodeling, wound healing, and angiogenesis, and in diseases such as atheroma, arthritis, cancer, and tissue ulceration. Currently 23 MMP genes have been identified in humans, and most are multidomain proteins. This review describes the members of the matrixin family and discusses substrate specificity, domain structure and function, the activation of proMMPs, the regulation of matrixin activity by tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases, and their pathophysiological implication.

Matrix metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases: structure, function, and biochemistry.

Collagen is the most abundant protein in animals. This fibrous, structural protein comprises a right-handed bundle of three parallel, left-handed polyproline II-type helices. Much progress has been made in elucidating the structure of collagen triple helices and the physicochemical basis for their stability. New evidence demonstrates that stereoelectronic effects and preorganization play a key role in that stability. The fibrillar structure of type I collagen—the prototypical collagen fibril—has been revealed in detail. Artificial collagen fibrils that display some properties of natural collagen fibrils are now accessible using chemical synthesis and self-assembly. A rapidly emerging understanding of the mechanical and structural properties of native collagen fibrils will guide further development of artificial collagenous materials for biomedicine and nanotechnology.

/pdf/collagen-structure-and-stability-4a8qztbno6.pdf

Collagen Structure and Stability

Inhalation of silica crystals causes inflammation in the alveolar space. Prolonged exposure to silica can lead to the development of silicosis, an irreversible, fibrotic pulmonary disease. The mechanisms by which silica and other crystals activate immune cells are not well understood. Here we demonstrate that silica and aluminum salt crystals activated inflammasomes formed by the cytoplasmic receptor NALP3. NALP3 activation required phagocytosis of crystals, and this uptake subsequently led to lysosomal damage and rupture. 'Sterile' lysosomal damage (without crystals) also induced NALP3 activation, and inhibition of either phagosomal acidification or cathepsin B activity impaired NALP3 activation. Our results indicate that the NALP3 inflammasome senses lysosomal damage as an endogenous 'danger' signal.

/pdf/silica-crystals-and-aluminum-salts-activate-the-nalp3-1f1xc9qvx8.pdf

Silica crystals and aluminum salts activate the NALP3 inflammasome through phagosomal destabilization

Structural Basis of Collagen Recognition by Integrin α2β1

https://febs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1016/0014-5793%2892%2980300-6

A novel coumarin-labelled peptide for sensitive continuous assays of the matrix metalloproteinases.

The Collagen-binding A-domains of Integrins α1β1 and α2β1Recognize the Same Specific Amino Acid Sequence, GFOGER, in Native (Triple-helical) Collagens

https://febs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1016/S0014-5793%2898%2901031-X

TNF-α converting enzyme (TACE) is inhibited by TIMP-3

https://febs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1016/S0014-5793%2800%2901528-3

C. Graham Knight

Papers

Structural Basis of Collagen Recognition by Integrin α2β1

A novel coumarin-labelled peptide for sensitive continuous assays of the matrix metalloproteinases.

The Collagen-binding A-domains of Integrins α1β1 and α2β1Recognize the Same Specific Amino Acid Sequence, GFOGER, in Native (Triple-helical) Collagens

TNF-α converting enzyme (TACE) is inhibited by TIMP-3

The in vitro activity of ADAM-10 is inhibited by TIMP-1 and TIMP-3.