Expert Opin Ther Targets. 2011 Jun;15(6):671-5. doi: 10.1517/14728222.2011.576673. Epub 2011 Apr 11.
MMPs are extracellular matrix (ECM)-degrading enzymes that play a crucial role in embryogenesis, tissue remodeling, inflammation and angiogenesis. MMP-2 and -9 (also called type 2 and type 4 collagenase, or gelatinase A and B) are the key molecules that control invasion, tumor growth and metastasis. Tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase (TIMP) -2 and -1 are specific inhibitors of MMP-2 and MMP-9 respectively, and play a crucial role in regulation of MMP-2 and -9 activation, during pathophysiological processes. MMPs can specifically degrade native gelatin, collagens, fibronectin, ectactin and elastin. MMP-2 and -9 are overexpressed in almost all types of cancers, and so act as important therapeutic targets.
The status of MMP research in India from 1998 to 2010. In this review, the authors cover the role of matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors in cancer therapy.
As compared with other parts of the world, Indian scientists have not generated a significant number of specific MMP inhibitors for the treatment of cancer, or other diseases. MMPs and membrane type (MT)-MMPs are potentially important therapeutic targets in many diseases, including cancers, therefore, designing specific inhibitors from natural products or through synthetic routes, is crucial.
基质金属蛋白酶（MMPs）是细胞外基质（ECM）降解酶，在胚胎发生、组织重塑、炎症和血管生成中起着关键作用。MMP-2 和 -9（也称为 2 型和 4 型胶原酶，或明胶酶 A 和 B）是控制侵袭、肿瘤生长和转移的关键分子。基质金属蛋白酶组织抑制剂（TIMP）-2 和 -1 分别是 MMP-2 和 MMP-9 的特异性抑制剂，在生理病理过程中对 MMP-2 和 MMP-9 的激活调控起着至关重要的作用。MMPs 可以特异性降解天然明胶、胶原、纤维连接蛋白、细胞外基质和弹性蛋白。MMP-2 和 -9 在几乎所有类型的癌症中都过度表达，因此是重要的治疗靶点。
1998 年至 2010 年印度的 MMP 研究现状。在这篇综述中，作者涵盖了基质金属蛋白酶抑制剂在癌症治疗中的作用。
与世界其他地区相比，印度科学家尚未针对癌症或其他疾病生成大量用于治疗的特定 MMP 抑制剂。MMPs 和膜型（MT）-MMPs 是许多疾病（包括癌症）的潜在重要治疗靶点，因此，从天然产物或通过合成途径设计特异性抑制剂至关重要。
