We developed a stable expression system for conformationally intact recombinant human PR3 (rPR3) using the human mast cell line HMC-1. Like in U937 cells, the rPR3 is processed from a 34 kDa precursor to the 29 kDa mature form, primarily as the result of oligosaccharide trimming. The rPR3 binds [3H]DFP and hydrolyzes the substrate N-methoxysuccinyl-Ala-Ala-Ala-Pro-Val-pNA. The enzymatic activity is inhibited by greater than 95% by α1-PI. The rPR3 and the enzymatically inactive mutant rPR3-S176A are both packaged in granules. Thus, proteolytic autoprocessing is not required for PR3's targeting to granules. This rPR3 is the first to be recognized by most c-ANCA from WG patients and all anti-PR3 ANCA that were detected by standard anti-PR3 specific ELISA. This expression system for rPR3 represents a versatile tool for the analysis of its intracellular processing, structure-function relationships and interaction with autoantibodies.
