A contributing factor to the development of arthritis is the inappropriate proteolytic destruction of the aggrecan component of cartilage by the proteolytic enzyme aggrecanase. The immune system signal molecule interleukin 2 (IL-2) activates aggrecanase; in fact, IL-2 blockers are sometimes used to treat arthritis. Studies were undertaken to determine whether inhibitors of aggrecanase could counteract the effects of IL-2. Pieces of cartilage were incubated in media with various additions and the amount of aggrecan destruction was measured as a function of time. What is the purpose of the control (cartilage incubated with no additions)? The control provides a baseline of "background" aggrecan degradation inherent in the assay. The control provides the level of aggrecan degradation that occurs in vivo. The control provides the maximum level of aggrecan degradation that the assay can detect. The control provides the level of aggrecan degradation that occurs when aggrecanase is inhibited. Why is there some aggrecan destruction in the control with the passage of time? Aggrecan is a glycoprotein, and glycoproteins are inherently unstable with a short half-life. Some of the factors contributing to cartilage stabilization in vivo may not be present. Cartilage produces small amounts of IL-2 on its own, which activates aggrecanase. Aggrecan destruction would only occur in the control if there was an experimental error.
A contributing factor to the development of arthritis is the inappropriate proteolytic destruction of the aggrecan component of cartilage by the proteolytic enzyme aggrecanase. The immune system signal molecule interleukin 2 (IL-2) activates aggrecanase; in fact, IL-2 blockers are sometimes used to treat arthritis. Studies were undertaken to determine whether inhibitors of aggrecanase could counteract the effects of IL-2. Pieces of cartilage were incubated in media with various additions and the amount of aggrecan destruction was measured as a function of time. What is the purpose of the control (cartilage incubated with no additions)? The control provides a baseline of "background" aggrecan degradation inherent in the assay. The control provides the level of aggrecan degradation that occurs in vivo. The control provides the maximum level of aggrecan degradation that the assay can detect. The control provides the level of aggrecan degradation that occurs when aggrecanase is inhibited. Why is there some aggrecan destruction in the control with the passage of time? Aggrecan is a glycoprotein, and glycoproteins are inherently unstable with a short half-life. Some of the factors contributing to cartilage stabilization in vivo may not be present. Cartilage produces small amounts of IL-2 on its own, which activates aggrecanase. Aggrecan destruction would only occur in the control if there was an experimental error.
Biochemistry
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ISBN:9781319114671
Author:Lubert Stryer, Jeremy M. Berg, John L. Tymoczko, Gregory J. Gatto Jr.
Publisher:Lubert Stryer, Jeremy M. Berg, John L. Tymoczko, Gregory J. Gatto Jr.
Chapter1: Biochemistry: An Evolving Science
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