Phospholipase Cγ1 stimulates transcriptional activation of the matrix metalloproteinase-3 gene via the protein kinase C/Raf/ERK cascade

The phospholipid hydrolase phospholipase Cγ1 (PLCγ1) plays a major role in regulation of cell proliferation, development, and cell motility. Overexpression of PLCγ1 is associated with tumor development, and it is overexpressed in some tumors. Matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) is a protein involved in tumor invasion and metastasis. Here, we demonstrate that overexpression of PLCγ1 stimulates MMP-3 expression at the transcriptional level via the PKC-mediated Raf/MEK1/ERK signaling cascade. We propose that modulation of PLCγ1 activity might be of value in controlling the activity of MMPs, which are important regulators of invasion and metastasis in malignant tumors.