title: Current mechanistic insights into the roles of matrix metalloproteinases in tumour invasion and metastasis.
abstract: The purpose of this review is to highlight the recent mechanistic developments elucidating the role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in tumour invasion and metastasis. The ability of tumour cells to invade, migrate, and subsequently metastasize is a fundamental characteristic of cancer. Tumour invasion and metastasis are increasingly being characterized by the dynamic relationship between cancer cells and their microenvironment and developing a greater understanding of these basic pathological mechanisms is crucial. While MMPs have been strongly implicated in these processes as a result of extensive circumstantial evidence--for example, increased expression of individual MMPs in tumours and association of specific MMPs with prognosis--the underpinning mechanisms are only now being elucidated. Recent studies are now providing a mechanistic basis, highlighting and reinforcing the catalytic and non-catalytic roles of specific MMPs as key players in tumour invasion and metastasis.
authors.affiliation: Pathology, Division of Applied Medicine, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK.
authors.forename: Gordon T
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.affiliation: Pathology, Division of Applied Medicine, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK.
authors.forename: Graeme I
authors.initials: GI
authors.lastname: Murray
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002465:Cell Movement; D058750:Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D000069261:Podosomes / Q000201:enzymology; D015398:Signal Transduction; D059016:Tumor Microenvironment
chemical_list: D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases
keywords: extracellular matrix; matrix metalloproteinase; metastasis; microenvironment; protease; tumour invasion; tumour progression