[Localization and expression of matrix metalloproteinase-7 in human prostate].
BACKGROUND
Matrix metalloproteinases-7 (MMP-7), one of an extracellular matrixdegrading metalloproteinase, play an important role tumor invasion and metastasis. We investigated localization, biochemical characterization and mRNA expression of MMP-7 in prostate tissues.


METHODS
Immunohistochemical method, SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and northern blot analysis were performed using tissues of prostatic cancer, BPH and normal prostate.


RESULTS
A latent proenzyme with Mr28,000 of MMP-7 was detected in the ductal epithelial cells of BPH and in the cytoplasm of cancer cell of the prostate. The ratio of mRNA expression in MMP-7/beta-actin was significantly higher in the tissue of the invasive prostatic cancer than those of normal prostate and BPH in northern blot analysis.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that MMP-7 may participate in the function of exocrine gland of normal prostate by preventing glandular obstruction and may play a role in invasion and metastasis of prostatic cancer.
Hashimoto
K
K
Department of Urology, Hiroshima University School of Medicine, Japan.
Yano
A
A
Tanabe
T
T
Usui
T
T
Kihira
Y
Y
Matsuo
Y
Y
D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000201:enzymology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D020783:Matrix Metalloproteinase 7; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases / Q000378:metabolism*; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D011467:Prostate / Q000201:enzymology*; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000201:enzymology; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology
D008666:Metalloendopeptidases; D020783:Matrix Metalloproteinase 7