Alternatively spliced Spalax heparanase inhibits extracellular matrix degradation, tumor growth, and metastasis

Nicola J. Nasser, Aaron Avivi, Itay Shafat, Evgeny Edovitsky, Eyal Zcharia, Neta Ilan, Israel Vlodavsky, Eviatar Nevo

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Heparanase is an endoglycosidase that degrades heparan sulfate (HS) at the cell surface and in the extracellular matrix. Heparanase is expressed mainly by cancer cells, and its expression is correlated with increased tumor aggressiveness, metastasis, and angiogenesis. Here, we report the cloning of a unique splice variant (splice 36) of heparanase from the subterranean blind mole rat (Spalax). This splice variant results from skipping part of exon 3, exons 4 and 5, and part of exon 6 and functions as a dominant negative to the wild-type enzyme. It inhibits HS degradation, suppresses glioma tumor growth, and decreases experimental B16-BL6 lung colonization in a mouse model. Intriguingly, Spalax splice variant 7 of heparanase (which results from skipping of exon 7) is devoid of enzymatic activity, but unlike splice 36 it enhances tumor growth. Our results demonstrate that alternative splicing of heparanase regulates its enzymatic activity and might adapt the heparanase function to the fluctuating normoxic-hypoxic subterranean environment that Spalax experiences. Development of anticancer drugs designed to suppress tumor growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis is a major challenge, of which heparanase inhibition is a promising approach. We anticipate that the heparanase splicing model, evolved during 40 million years of Spalacid adaptation to underground life, would pave the way for the development of heparanase-based therapeutic modalities directed against angiogenesis, tumor growth, and metastasis.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2253-2258
Number of pages6
JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Volume106
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - 17 Feb 2009

Keywords

  • Alternative splicing
  • Angiogenesis
  • Blind mole rat
  • Cancer
  • Heparan sulfate

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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