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| What are Matrix Metalloproteinases? |
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are proteolytic enzymes that require Ca2+, Zn2+
and other metal ions as cofactors, and can degrade various protein components of
extracellular matrices (ECMs)[1]. MMPs are involved in a variety of physiological
and pathological processes, as well as having an important role in cell migration, tissue remodeling, wound healing, and maintenance of the ECM integrity. MMPs have become not only important indicators and targets for clinical diagnosis and treatment but also crucial for drug research and development. |
| The Role of MMPs in Cancer |
| MMPs play an increasingly important role in regulating human physiological and pathological processes, especially malignant tumors. Studies have shown that the specific processes in which MMPs participate in tumor cell invasion and metastasis include: degradation of extracellular matrices, regulation of gene polymorphisms, promotion of epithelial mesenchymal transformation, and induction of adhesion molecule expression. |
| In vertebrates, the MMP family consists of 28 members, at least 23 of which are expressed in human tissues. MMPs are usually secreted as inactive proMMPs, which are cleaved to the active form by various proteases, including other MMPs. MMPs play a key role in ECM remodeling and are involved in various forms of tumor progression[2]. Therefore, MMPs, as a biomarker of tumor progression and metastatic invasion, have gradually become an important tool for clinical monitoring of a variety of tumors. |
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| Figure 1. Roles of MMPs in breast cancer development and progression[3]. |
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MedChemExpress Related Products |
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| Product Name |
Description |
MMP-2 Protein, Human (HEK293)
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Involved in vascular remodeling, angiogenesis, tissue
repair, tumor invasion, inflammation and atherosclerotic
plaque rupture and other physiological processes. |
MMP-9 Protein, Human (HEK293)
|
Regulates extracellular matrix during physiological
processes such as development and tissue remodeling. |
MMP-12 Protein, Human
|
Involved in tissue injury and remodeling, and shows
significant elastolysis activity. |
MMP-1 Protein, Human (HEK293, His)
|
Capable of cleaving type I, II, and III collagen at
specific sites within the helical domain. |
Stromelysin-1/MMP-3 Protein, Human (HEK293, His)
|
Degrades a variety of extracellular matrix components
and activates molecules such as growth factors,
plasminogen and MMP9. It can also be released into the
ECM and activated by a plasminase cascade. |
MMP-13 Protein, Human (HEK293)
|
Splits triple helix collagen, preferentially cracking
type II collagen, and can also target other collagen
types. |
MMP-8 Protein, Human (HEK293, His)
|
Plays an important role in remodeling and turnover of
collagen-rich tissues. |
MMP-7 Protein, Rat (P. pastoris, His)
|
Acts on casein, gelatin (types I, III, IV, and V) and
fibronectin. |
MMP-9 Protein, Mouse (HEK293)
|
Shows essential for local extracellular matrix
proteolysis and leukocyte migration. |
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| References: |
[1] Wang X, Khalil RA. Adv Pharmacol. 2018;81:241-330.
[2] Kessenbrock K, Plaks V, Werb Z. Cell. 2010;141(1):52-67.
[3] Kwon MJ. Front Oncol. 2023;12:1108695. |
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