Uria J A, Werb Z
Department of Anatomy, University of California San Francisco 94143-0452, USA.
Cell Res. 1998 Sep;8(3):187-94. doi: 10.1038/cr.1998.19.
The matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of zinc-dependent endopeptidases that play a key role in both normal and pathological processes involving tissue remodeling events. The expression of these proteolytic enzymes is highly regulated by a balance between extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition and its degradation, and is controlled by growth factors, cytokines, hormones, as well as interactions with the ECM macromolecules. Furthermore, the activity of the MMPs is regulated by their natural endogenous inhibitors, which are members of the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP) family. In the normal mammary gland, MMPs are expressed during ductal development, lobulo-alveolar development in pregnancy and involution after lactation. Under pathological conditions, such as tumorigenesis, the dysregulated expression of MMPs play a role in tumor initiation, progression and malignant conversion as well as facilitating invasion and metastasis of malignant cells through degradation of the ECM and basement membranes.
基质金属蛋白酶（MMPs）是一类锌依赖性内肽酶，在涉及组织重塑事件的正常和病理过程中都起着关键作用。这些蛋白水解酶的表达受到细胞外基质（ECM）沉积与其降解之间平衡的高度调节，并受生长因子、细胞因子、激素以及与ECM大分子相互作用的控制。此外，MMPs的活性由其天然内源性抑制剂调节，这些抑制剂是金属蛋白酶组织抑制剂（TIMP）家族的成员。在正常乳腺中，MMPs在导管发育、妊娠期间的小叶-腺泡发育以及泌乳后的退化过程中表达。在病理条件下，如肿瘤发生时，MMPs表达失调在肿瘤起始、进展和恶性转化中起作用，并通过降解ECM和基底膜促进恶性细胞的侵袭和转移。
