title: Matrix metalloproteinases and cancer - roles in threat and therapy.
abstract: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of zinc dependent extracellular matrix (ECM) remodelling endopeptidases having the ability to degrade almost all components of extracellular matrix and implicated in various physiological as well as pathological processes. Carcinogenesis is a multistage process in which alteration of the microenvironment is required for conversion of normal tissue to a tumour. Extracellular matrix remodelling proteinases such as MMPs are principal mediators of alterations observed in the microenvironment during carcinogenesis and according to recent concepts not only have roles in invasion or late stages of cancer but also in regulating initial steps of carcinogenesis in a favourable or unfavourable manner. Establishment of relationships between MMP overproduction and cancer progression has stimulated the development of inhibitors that block proteolytic activity of these enzymes. In this review we discuss the MMP general structure, classification, regulation roles in relation to hallmarks of cancer and as targets for therapeutic intervention.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Kalka Dental College, Meerut, India E-mail : drlalita9@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Lalita
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yadav
authors.forename: Naveen
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Puri
authors.forename: Varun
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Rastogi
authors.forename: Pranali
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Satpute
authors.forename: Riyaz
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ahmad
authors.forename: Geetpriya
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kaur
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis; D063646:Carcinogenesis / Q000473:pathology; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D061965:Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification / Q000378:metabolism*; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness / Q000473:pathology; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis / Q000473:pathology*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000473:pathology*; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D015533:Transcriptional Activation; D059016:Tumor Microenvironment
chemical_list: D061965:Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases