Biomaterial Database

Proteases in invasion: matrix metalloproteinases. 2001

W G Stetler-Stevenson, and A E Yu

Laboratory of Pathology, Division of Clinical Sciences, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. sstevenw@mail.nih.gov

The role of proteases in general, and the matrix metalloproteinases in particular, in tumor invasion and metastasis is well established. However, the classic view that these enzymes simply provide a mechanism for the breakdown of connective tissue barriers has been challenged. This overview summarizes recent evidence to support the changing view of the role of matrix metalloproteinases in cancer progression. First we briefly review the central role of cell invasion in cancer progression and also the matrix metalloproteinase family members. We then focus on the emerging roles for these enzymes in cancer progression, including the role of matrix metalloproteinases in cell proliferation and release of growth factors, cell migration and in modification of the extracellular matrix to reveal cryptic sites that alter cell behaviour.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009361	Neoplasm Invasiveness	Ability of neoplasms to infiltrate and actively destroy surrounding tissue.	Invasiveness, Neoplasm,Neoplasm Invasion,Invasion, Neoplasm
D009369	Neoplasms	New abnormal growth of tissue. Malignant neoplasms show a greater degree of anaplasia and have the properties of invasion and metastasis, compared to benign neoplasms.	Benign Neoplasm,Cancer,Malignant Neoplasm,Tumor,Tumors,Benign Neoplasms,Malignancy,Malignant Neoplasms,Neoplasia,Neoplasm,Neoplasms, Benign,Cancers,Malignancies,Neoplasias,Neoplasm, Benign,Neoplasm, Malignant,Neoplasms, Malignant
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D061965	Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors	Compounds that inhibit the enzyme activity or activation of MATRIX METALLOPROTEINASES.	Collagenase Inhibitor,Gelatinase Inhibitor,MMP Inhibitor,Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitor,Collagenase Inhibitors,Gelatinase Inhibitors,MMP Inhibitors,Stromelysin Inhibitors,Inhibitor, Collagenase,Inhibitor, Gelatinase,Inhibitor, MMP,Inhibitor, Matrix Metalloproteinase,Inhibitors, Collagenase,Inhibitors, Gelatinase,Inhibitors, MMP,Inhibitors, Matrix Metalloproteinase,Inhibitors, Stromelysin,Metalloproteinase Inhibitor, Matrix,Metalloproteinase Inhibitors, Matrix
D020782	Matrix Metalloproteinases	A family of zinc-dependent metalloendopeptidases that is involved in the degradation of EXTRACELLULAR MATRIX components.	MMP,MMPs,Matrix Metalloproteinase,Metalloproteinase, Matrix,Metalloproteinases, Matrix