Progelatinase A activation during tumor cell invasion.
The mechanisms of tumor cell invasion appear to be the same as those of normal cells that invade. Thus malignancy can be defined as a defect in the regulation of a predefined cellular program of invasion. Gelatinase A (MMP-2) has been shown to contribute to the invasive phenotype. Recent work demonstrates that activation of progelatinase A is a key event in the acquisition of malignant potential. This brief report reviews some recent findings on the cellular mechanism of progelatinase A activation and the role of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2 in this process.
Stetler-Stevenson
W G
WG
Extracellular Matrix Pathology Section, Bethesda, Md 20892, USA.
D004789:Enzyme Activation; D004792:Enzyme Precursors / Q000378:metabolism*; D018093:Gelatinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases / Q000378:metabolism*; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology*
D004792:Enzyme Precursors; D018093:Gelatinases; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases; C069860:progelatinase