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Binding of Pro-Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 by Fusobacterium nucleatum subsp. nucleatum as a Mechanism To Promote the Invasion of a Reconstituted Basement Membrane

Groupe de Recherche en Écologie Buccale, Faculté de Médecine Dentaire, Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada

Received 25 April 2004/ Returned for modification 1 June 2004/ Accepted 7 July 2004

In this study, we investigated the ability of Fusobacterium nucleatum subsp. nucleatum to increase its tissue-invasive potential by acquiring cell-associated human matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) activity. Binding of pro-MMP-9 to fusobacteria was demonstrated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Zymography and a colorimetric assay showed that bound pro-MMP-9 can be converted into a proteolytically active form. The potential contribution of this acquired host activity in tissue invasion was demonstrated using a reconstituted basement membrane (Matrigel).

Editor: W. A. Petri, Jr.