[Molecular biology of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), and the regulation of these genes in tumor tissues].
Degradation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) is required for tumor invasion and metastasis. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which degrade the various ECM components, are thought to play key roles in these processes. The activity of MMPs is strictly controlled at the following three steps, gene expression, proenzyme activation and inhibition by tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs). Overexpression of MMP genes and ECM degrading activities have reported to be associated with the invasive and metastatic tumor cells. Many researchers have been reported that these phenotypes of tumor cells were inhibited by TIMPs. Thus, the potential of tumor cells to invade into the ECM is regulated by the balance of MMPs and TIMPs.
Takino
T
T
Department of Molecular Virology and Oncology, Kanazawa University.
Sato
H
H
Seiki
M
M
D017364:Collagenases / Q000235:genetics*; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology*; D019714:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases
D006023:Glycoproteins; D019714:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases; D017364:Collagenases