Study of MT1-MMP in cancer

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Cancer cells are usually destructive against surrounding tissue and this activity is necessary for the cells to continue grow abnormally, invade and form metastatic tumor nodules. Cancer cells also alter the tumor microenvironment by producing different tissue constituents from the normal ones and by changing the integrity of extracellular proteins via protein processing. Degradation and processing of proteins in the tissue space are mediated by extracellular proteases. Membrane type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) is one of such extracellular proteases expressed in cancer cells. In this study, we analyzed multidimensional functions of MT1-MMP and their coordinated action with intracellular systems regulating cell growth and invasion. The results suggest that MT1-MMP is important acting as a nordal point regulator during acquisition of malignant phenotype of cancer cells.