MINIREVIEWS
Cell Research (1998)8:187-194
© 1998 SIBS, CAS All rights reserved 1001-0602/98
Matrix metalloproteinases and their expression in mammary gland.
Uria JA, Werb Z.
Department of Anatomy, University of California San Francisco 94143-0452,
USA.
The matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of zinc-dependent endopeptidases
that play a key role in both normal and pathological processes involving
tissue remodeling events. The expression of these proteolytic enzymes is
highly regulated by a balance between extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition
and its degradation, and is controlled by growth factors, cytokines, hormones,
as well as interactions with the ECM macromolecules. Furthermore, the activity
of the MMPs is regulated by their natural endogenous inhibitors, which are
members of the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP) family. In
the normal mammary gland, MMPs are expressed during ductal development,
lobulo-alveolar development in pregnancy and involution after lactation.
Under pathological conditions, such as tumorigenesis, the dysregulated expression
of MMPs play a role in tumor initiation, progression and malignant conversion
as well as facilitating invasion and metastasis of malignant cells through
degradation of the ECM and basement membranes
Keywords : Matrix
metalloproteinases, ECM, cancer progression, mammary gland. |
