[Role of matrix-degrading enzymes in melanoma progression].
Cutaneous melanoma is an invasive and early metastazising tumor. Melanoma cells detach from the primary tumor, penetrate the basement membrane, invade lymphatics and blood vessels, and form metastases. These processes all depend on coordinated expression and/or activation of proteolytic enzymes. In addition to aspartyl- and cysteineproteinases, serine proteinases including the plasminogen activator system (uPA, uPAR, tPA, PAI-1 and PAI-2) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) with their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) play an essential role in these processes. In addition, melanoma cells require specific adhesion molecules such as integrins and CD44 for interaction with other cells and components of the extracellular matrix (ECM); these are also involved in binding activated MMPs on the cell surface. In this review we discuss these functional aspects of melanoma progression.
Universitätsklinik und Poliklinik für Hautkrankheiten, Julius-Maximilians Universität, Würzburg, Germany. uta.hofmann@mail.uni-wuerzburg.de
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UB
Hofmann
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JC
Becker
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EB
Bröcker
D000818:Animals; D018450:Disease Progression; D010450:Endopeptidases / Q000502:physiology*; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000502:physiology*; D008545:Melanoma / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology
D010450:Endopeptidases; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases