title: The RECK gene and biological malignancy--its significance in angiogenesis and inhibition of matrix metalloproteinases.
abstract: The RECK (reversion-inducing cysteine-rich protein with Kazal motifs) gene is a relatively newly discovered gene with important implications in cancer biology. RECK is normally expressed in all cells of the body and has an important role in the balance between destructive and constructive features of the extracellular matrix (ECM). The RECK protein is a membrane-bound glycoprotein that inhibits matrix metalloproteinases with the function of breaking-down the ECM. There is a significant correlation between RECK gene expression and the formation of new vessels, presumably via the mediation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which is an important and powerful inducer of angiogenesis. Research has shown that down-regulation of RECK is caused by the rat sarcoma oncogene (RAS), which is also a common cause of tumor development in the early stages. For a tumor to progress and gain characteristics that classifies it as malignant, the degradation of the ECM and mobilization of new blood vessels are essential functions. If the tumor is inhibited with respect to these functions, it will cease to grow. RECK is, therefore, a potential tumor inhibitor but also a prognostic marker available at early clinical stages.
authors: Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
authors: Michelle
authors: M
authors: Alexius-Lindgren
authors: Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
authors: Erika
authors: E
authors: Andersson
authors: Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
authors: Ingrid
authors: I
authors: Lindstedt
authors: Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden wilhelm.engstrom@slu.se.
authors: Wilhelm
authors: W
authors: Engström
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism; D058851:GPI-Linked Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000235:genetics; D061965:Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply*; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D058851:GPI-Linked Proteins; D061965:Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors; C115460:RECK protein, human; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9
keywords: MMP; RECK; VEGF; metastasis; review