Review
Matrix metalloproteinase stromelysin-3 in development and pathogenesis
L. Wei* and Y-B. Shi
Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Development, National Institute of
Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
*Present address: Tumor Immunology & Gene Therapy Center, Eastern Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, SMMU, Shanghai, China
Offprint requests to: Yun-Bo Shi, Building 18 T, Rm 106, LGRD, NICHD, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA. Fax: (301) 402-1323. e-mail: shi@helix.nih.gov
Summary. The extracellular matrix (ECM) serves as a medium for cell-cell interactions and can directly signal cells through cell surface ECM receptors, such as integrins. In addition, many growth factors and signaling molecules are stored in the ECM. Thus, ECM remodeling and/or degradation plays a critical role in cell fate and behavior during many developmental and pathological processes. ECM remodeling/degradation is, to a large extent, mediated by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), a family of extracellular or membrane-bound, Zn2+-dependent proteases that are capable of digesting various proteinaceous components of the ECM. Of particular interest among them is the MMP11 or stromelysin-3, which was first isolated as a breast cancer associated protease. Here, we review some evidence for the involvement of this MMP in development and diseases with a special emphasis on amphibian metamorphosis, a postembryonic, thyroid hormone-dependent process that transforms essentially every organ/tissue of the animal. Histol Histopathol 20, 177-185 (2005)
Key words: Matrix metalloproteinase, Stromelysin-3, Metamorphosis, Xenopus laevis, Tumor invasion, Metastasis
DOI: 10.14670/HH-20.177