Ectodomain shedding of cell surface proteins is an important process in a wide variety of physiological and developmental events. Recently, tumor necrosis factor-␣-converting enzyme (TACE) has been found to play an essential role in the shedding of several critical surface proteins, which is evidenced by multiple developmental defects exhibited by TACE knockout mice. However, little is known about the physiological activation of TACE. Here, we show that nitric oxide (NO) activates TACEmediated ectodomain shedding. Using an in vitro model of TACE activation, we show that NO activates TACE by nitrosation of the inhibitory motif of the TACE prodomain. Thus, NO production activates the release of cytokines, cytokine receptors, and adhesion molecules, and NO may be involved in other ectodomain shedding processes.Ectodomain shedding is an essential phenomenon involved in the cleavage and release of cell membrane-bound molecules ranging from Alzheimer's amyloid precursor protein to angiotensin-converting enzyme (1). Shedding of ligand/receptor families is involved in diverse processes such as inflammation, hematopoiesis, and normal development (2, 3). Ectodomain shedding can be stimulated by protein kinase C activation and endotoxin (4,5). TACE 1 is a member of a disintegrin and metalloproteinase (ADAM) family, a group of unique zinc-binding transmembrane metalloproteinases (6 -8). TACE has been shown to mediate cleavage of TNF␣ as well as a variety of ectodomains including the TNF p75 receptor, L-selectin, and transforming growth factor-␣ (3). Despite its importance, the physiological regulation of TACE activity remains undefined. Endotoxin does not alter TACE transcription, steady-state mRNA levels, or the level of processed TACE at the cell surface (3). However, endotoxin can induce both nitric oxide (NO) and free radical production (9 -11). It has been shown that both hydrogen peroxide and NO can enhance macrophage production and the secretion of TNF␣ (12-16). However, the mechanism of this effect remains unclear. Many metalloproteinases can be activated by oxidation and dissociation of the cysteine thiol-zinc linkage from a latent enzymatic site, with this complex referred to as a "cysteine zinc switch" mechanism (17). TACE contains a consensus cysteine switch motif in the prodomain, and it has been shown previously that the cysteine in this portion of the molecule is required for the inhibition of TACE activity (18). In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that NO, a molecule produced in a variety of inflammatory conditions, regulates TACE activity and ectodomain shedding.
EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES
Chemicals-(Z)-1-[N-(3-ammoniopropyl)-N-(n-propyl)-amino]-diazen-, and 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo-[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one were obtained from Alexis Biochemicals (San Diego, CA). Actinomycin D and oxyhemoglobin were from Sigma. Murine interferon-␥ was provided by Genentech (South San Francisco, CA). Escherichia coli LPS 026:B6 was from Difco. All other chemicals were purchased from Sigma.Cell Culture-Mono Mac 6 and Jurkat...