Membrane-associated MMP-2 in human cervical cancer

Abstract

Matrixmetalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of secreted or membrane-associated proteins capable of digesting extracellular matrix components. The importance of MMPs in tumor development and invasion is well known. Recent studies have strongly indicated the presence of a functional complex consisting of alpha(v)beta3 integrin, membrane type-1 metalloproteinase-2 (MT1-MMP), and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) on tumor cell surface, which helps the activation of MMP-2. In this article, we report on the association of active MMP-2 with the membrane fraction of human cervical cancer cells. The association of MMP-2 with alpha(v)beta3 integrin and the expression of membrane type MT1-MMP strongly indicate the role of alpha(v)beta3/MT1-MMP/TIMP-2 complex in the activation of MMP-2 in cervical cancer tissue membrane fraction. The membrane-associated activated MMP-2 may have a role in the migration of tumor cells during invasion.