Tumor cell collagenase and its inhibition by a cartilage-derived protease inhibitor.
Human osteosarcoma and mammary carcinoma cells were cultured separately in a medium supplemented with fetal calf serum, until they were confluent. The medium was then replaced by serum-free medium supplemented with heparin. Both cell cultures secreted collagenase, and this activity was inhibited by a cartilage-derived protein of low molecular weight. Since cartilage is rarely invaded by neoplasms, the presence of this inhibitor may play an important role in the regulation of tumor invasion.
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology*; D002356:Cartilage / Q000502:physiology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006493:Heparin / Q000494:pharmacology; D003012:Microbial Collagenase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009374:Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000201:enzymology; D012516:Osteosarcoma / Q000201:enzymology*
D006493:Heparin; D003012:Microbial Collagenase