A contributing factor to the development of arthritis is the inappropriate proteolytic destruction of the aggrecan component of cartilage by the proteolytic enzyme aggrecanase. The immune system signal molecule interleukin 2 (IL-2) activates aggrecanase; in fact, IL-2 blockers are sometimes used to treat arthritis. Studies were undertaken to determine whether inhibitors of aggrecanase could counteract the effects of IL-2. Pieces of cartilage were incubated in media with various additions and the amount of aggrecan destruction was measured as a function of time. Aggrecan degradation was measured by the release of glycosaminoglycan. What is the rationale for this assay? Aggrecan is a transferase enzyme that adds glycosaminoglycans to glycoproteins, and these glycosaminoglycans remain free if aggrecan is degraded. Aggrecan is a lectin that binds glycosaminoglycan ligands, and aggrecan releases these glycosaminoglycans as it is degraded. Aggrecan inhibits the removal of glycosaminoglycans from proteoglycans, and aggrecan degradation allows this removal to proceed. O Aggrecan is heavily decorated with glycosaminoglycans, and the release of these glycosaminoglycans is a sign of aggrecan degradation.

Biochemistry
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Chapter1: Biochemistry: An Evolving Science
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A contributing factor to the development of arthritis is the inappropriate proteolytic destruction of the aggrecan component of
cartilage by the proteolytic enzyme aggrecanase. The immune system signal molecule interleukin 2 (IL-2) activates
aggrecanase; in fact, IL-2 blockers are sometimes used to treat arthritis.
Studies were undertaken to determine whether inhibitors of aggrecanase could counteract the effects of IL-2. Pieces of
cartilage were incubated in media with various additions and the amount of aggrecan destruction was measured as a function
of time.
Aggrecan degradation was measured by the release of glycosaminoglycan. What is the rationale for this assay?
Aggrecan is a transferase enzyme that adds glycosaminoglycans to glycoproteins, and these glycosaminoglycans remain
free if aggrecan is degraded.
Aggrecan is a lectin that binds glycosaminoglycan ligands, and aggrecan releases these glycosaminoglycans as it
is degraded.
Aggrecan inhibits the removal of glycosaminoglycans from proteoglycans, and aggrecan degradation allows this
removal to proceed.
Aggrecan is heavily decorated with glycosaminoglycans, and the release of these glycosaminoglycans is a sign of
aggrecan degradation.
Transcribed Image Text:A contributing factor to the development of arthritis is the inappropriate proteolytic destruction of the aggrecan component of cartilage by the proteolytic enzyme aggrecanase. The immune system signal molecule interleukin 2 (IL-2) activates aggrecanase; in fact, IL-2 blockers are sometimes used to treat arthritis. Studies were undertaken to determine whether inhibitors of aggrecanase could counteract the effects of IL-2. Pieces of cartilage were incubated in media with various additions and the amount of aggrecan destruction was measured as a function of time. Aggrecan degradation was measured by the release of glycosaminoglycan. What is the rationale for this assay? Aggrecan is a transferase enzyme that adds glycosaminoglycans to glycoproteins, and these glycosaminoglycans remain free if aggrecan is degraded. Aggrecan is a lectin that binds glycosaminoglycan ligands, and aggrecan releases these glycosaminoglycans as it is degraded. Aggrecan inhibits the removal of glycosaminoglycans from proteoglycans, and aggrecan degradation allows this removal to proceed. Aggrecan is heavily decorated with glycosaminoglycans, and the release of these glycosaminoglycans is a sign of aggrecan degradation.
Why might glycosaminoglycan release not indicate aggrecan degradation?
Glycosaminoglycans are hydrogen bonded to aggrecan and may dissociate from aggrecan at high temperatures.
Another enzyme might be present that cleaves glycosaminoglycans from aggrecan without degrading aggrecan.
Glycosaminoglycan release also occurs with the degradation of glycogen in animal tissues.
O Aggrecanase may degrade the glycosaminoglycans of aggrecan without degrading the protein component.
Transcribed Image Text:Why might glycosaminoglycan release not indicate aggrecan degradation? Glycosaminoglycans are hydrogen bonded to aggrecan and may dissociate from aggrecan at high temperatures. Another enzyme might be present that cleaves glycosaminoglycans from aggrecan without degrading aggrecan. Glycosaminoglycan release also occurs with the degradation of glycogen in animal tissues. O Aggrecanase may degrade the glycosaminoglycans of aggrecan without degrading the protein component.
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