Synaptic cell adhesion molecule-2 and collapsin response mediator protein-2 are novel members of the matrix metalloproteinase-9 degradome.

The elucidation of entire sets of protease substrates ("proteodegradomes") is important for understanding proteolytic pathways, their networks, and their role in the regulation of cell function. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is an extracellularly operating protease that is expressed and released in the brain in response to enhanced neuronal activity. Under physiological conditions, MMP-9 is involved in neuronal plasticity, including long-term potentiation, learning, and memory. This function may be related to its activity at the synapse. Under pathological conditions (e.g., during excitotoxicity, stroke, and traumatic brain injury), when the concentration of glutamate is persistently increased, MMP-9 is detrimental to brain tissue. To assess the MMP-9 degradome, we used synaptoneurosomal fractions isolated from the hippocampus of wildtype and MMP-9 knockout mice. To induce MMP-9 activity, the synaptoneurosomal fractions were treated with 50 μM glutamate for 30 min at 37°C. To investigate MMP-9 targets, two-dimensional fluorescence difference gel electrophoresis was performed. This approach enabled the accurate analysis of differences in protein abundance between samples. The differential spots that contained potential MMP-9 substrates were excised from the gel, and proteins of interest were identified using mass spectrometry. Two novel MMP-9 targets were identified: synaptic cell adhesion molecule-2 and collapsin response mediator protein-2. The MMP-9-driven processing of the newly identified substrates was confirmed by western blot in primary hippocampal neurons after stimulation with either N-methyl-D-aspartate or glutamate or incubation with recombinant autoactivating MMP-9 and use of a specific inhibitor.