1. Sequence determination and Bioinformatics Analyses of
Metalloproteases Domains cloned from Pongo pygmaeus Primate
Genomic DNA
Ana Velazquez and Dr. Michael Rubin
RISE Program
University of Puerto Rico at Cayey
Department of Biology
Abstract
Metalloproteases are a group of proteases collectively responsible for the degradation of the
extracellular matrix. They are important for the shape and modifications needed in the
extracellular matrix. Metalloproteases are important in many aspects of biology, ranging from
cell proliferation, differentiation and remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM) to
vascularization and cell migration. Pongo pygmaeus is an orangutan specie native from Borneo.
The genomic DNA of this specie is used for this experiment. The first objective in this
investigation is to transform plasmid with MP gene to E. coli and grow these transformed cells
with plasmid DNA, to purify the plasmid DNA from the culture, and perform plasmid miniprep.
The long term goals are to send purified gene to sequence, determine the sequence of the MP
gene in Pongo pygmaeus genomic DNA, and do a protease detection. The different methods used
in this experiment are transformation, plasmid purification and plasmid miniprep preparation.
Background differentiation and remodeling of the
Metalloproteases are a group of proteases extracellular matrix (ECM) to
collectively responsible for the degradation vascularization and cell migration. These
of the extracellular matrix. They need a events occur several times during
metal ion on their catalytic site for organogenesis in both normal development
functioning. They are important for the and during tumor progression. These
shape and modifications needed in the proteins are frequently studied, aimed
extracellular matrix. Metalloproteases are specifically to study cell interaction and
important in many aspects of biology, tumor formations. They are naturally
ranging from cell proliferation, regulated by endogenous inhibitors. An

2. imbalance between the active enzymes and more information about these frequently
the natural inhibitors leads to the accelerated studied enzymes.
destruction of connective tissue associated
with the pathology of diseases such as Specific Aims
arthritis, cancer, multiple sclerosis, and The first objective in this investigation is to
cardiovascular diseases. transform plasmid with MP gene to E. coli
Pongo pygmaeus is an orangutan specie and grow these transformed cells with
native from Borneo. They live in the tree plasmid DNA in liquid culture for the
tops and feed from fruits, bark, bird eggs, replication of the plasmid with the cells.
and insects. The genomic DNA of this After the replication of the bacteria with the
specie is used for this experiment because it desired plasmid is finished, the next step is
is similar to human DNA and the results will to purify the plasmid DNA from the culture.
be more accurate to the results it would have This will remove the plasmid out of the
with human beings. By studying the MMP bacteria and discard the bacteria residues.
gene in Pongo pygmaeus genomic DNA we The next desired aim after the purification of
can control the irregularities in the MMP the plasmid is to perform plasmid minipreps,
production. which is to produce small quantities of the
Problem purified plasmid. In a long term aim the
How can we control irregularities in project is going to be focused on sending the
metalloprotease’s enzymatic activity? purified desired gene to bioinformatics and
eventually do a protease detection.
Hypothesis Short term goals Obtain a purified plasmid
By the inhibition of the metalloprotease with desired gene to send for sequencing.
gene, the irregularities of metalloprotease Long term goals Send purified gene to
enzymes can be controlled. sequence, determine the sequence of the MP
gene in Pongo pygmaeus genomic DNA,
Significance and do a protease detection.
This work is important because it would
bring different options to health treatments
for diseases affecting worldwide. It would
also provide the scientific community with

3. Procedures protocol used was provided by QIAprep®
Miniprep Handbook.
Transformation:
Preliminary Studies
This procedure will be done to insert the
previously ligated plasmid with the desired The total of transformed bacteria colonies
gene into the vector used, which is going to incubated in the agar plates at 37°C were 64
be E. coli. Then these same cells are going colonies in the plate containing 50µl of SOC
to be cultivated in agar plates, replicating medium with bacteria and 540 colonies in
with them the vector used. The protocol the plate containing 900µl of SOC medium
followed for this procedure was provided by with bacteria.
pGEM®-T and pGEM®-T Easy Vector
References
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through enzyme digestion. Other miniprep Detection, pharmacological inhibition, and
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samples that are going to be sequenced the A.D., Cawston, T.E. 2004.

4. Metalloproteinase and inhibitor
expression profiling of resorbing cartilage
reveals pro-collagenase activation as a
critical step for collagenolysis. Clin Invest.
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