Roles of Membrane-type 1 Matrix Metalloproteinase in Tumor Invasion and Progression

Membrane-type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) has been implicated in tumor invasion and metastasis. Degradation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and cell migration are critical steps in tumor invasion. MT1-MMP stimulates a cascade for ECM degradation on the surface of tumor cells, and promotes cell migration and focal adhesion turnover by activating extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and by processing various biologically important cell-surface molecules. Moreover, MT1-MMP promotes tumor cell proliferation in the 3-dimensional (3-D) ECM but not in 2-D ECM culture system. Studying the biological function of MT1-MMP would appear to be important for better understanding of the mechanisms of tumor invasion and progression.