Fibrinolytic activation promoted by the cyclopentapeptide malformin: involvement of cytoskeletal reorganization

Biol Pharm Bull. 2011;34(9):1426-31. doi: 10.1248/bpb.34.1426.

Abstract

Malformin A₁, a cyclopentapeptide of fungal origin, enhances cellular fibrinolytic activity depending on the existence of a cofactor in blood plasma. However, the nature of this cofactor remains unknown. Here, we report that vitronectin acts as a plasma cofactor of malformin A₁. We purified the cofactor from bovine plasma by activity-based fractionation, and confirmed that vitronectin in conjunction with plasminogen supports the activity of malformin A₁ to promote the fibrinolytic activity of U937 cells. Malformin A₁ action was abolished by Arg-Gly-Asp peptide (a competitor of vitronectin-integrin binding), wortmannin (an inhibitor of signaling kinases), and cytochalasin B (an inhibitor of actin polymerization). Changes in actin organization and a decrease in filopodia were observed in cells treated with malformin A₁ and plasma. A focal localization of plasminogen on the cell surface was augmented by malformin A₁, whereas the amount of cell-surface-bound plasminogen was minimally altered by the treatment. Our results suggest the involvement of cytoskeletal reorganization via vitronectin signaling in the cellular fibrinolytic activity-enhancing action of malformin A₁.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cattle
  • Cytoskeleton / metabolism*
  • Fibrinolysis / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Peptides, Cyclic / pharmacology*
  • U937 Cells

Substances

  • Peptides, Cyclic
  • malformins