Volume 13, Issue 8 p. 781-792
Review
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Regulation of matrix metalloproteinase expression in tumor invasion

Jukka Westermarck

Corresponding Author

Jukka Westermarck

MediCity Research Laboratory, Department of Medical Biochemistry, University of Turku, FIN-20520 Turku, Finland

Correspondence: University of Turku, MediCity Research Laboratory, Tykistökatu 6, FIN-20520 Turku, Finland. E-mail: [email protected]

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Veli-Matti Kähäri

Veli-Matti Kähäri

Department of Dermatology, Turku University Central Hospital, FIN-20520 Turku, Finland

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First published: 01 May 1999
Citations: 1,147

ABSTRACT

Degradation of basement membranes and stromal extracellular matrix (ECM) is crucial for invasion and metastasis of malignant cells. Degradation of ECM is initiated by proteinases secreted by different cell types participating in tumor cell invasion, and increased expression or activity of every known class of proteinases (metallo-, serine-, aspartic-, and cysteine) has been linked to malignancy and invasion of tumor cells. Studies performed over the last decade have revealed that matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play a crucial role in tumor invasion. Expression of MMP genes is transcriptionally regulated by a variety of extracellular factors including cytokines, growth factors, and cell contact to ECM. This review will summarize the current view on the role of MMPs in tumor growth, invasion, and survival, and focus on the role of mitogen-activated protein kinases and AP-1 and ETS transcription factors in the regulation of MMP gene expression during invasion process.—Westermarck, J., Kähäri, V.-M. Regulation of matrix metalloproteinase expression in tumor invasion. FASEB J. 13, 781–792 (1999)