REGULATION OF MT1-MMP ACTIVITY

摘要

It is considered that the activation of pro-MMP-2 by MT1-MMP is one of the important steps of tumor cell infiltration such as cancer. However, the detailed mechanism of the expression of this activity still remains unknown. It is therefore required to clarify the mechanism of the activation of pro-MMP-2 by MT1-MMP and thus clarify not only the infiltration and metastasis of cancer but also various phenomena in which MT1-MMP seemingly participates, thereby contributing to the prevention and treatment of various diseases. In the activation of pro-MMP-2 by MT1-MMP, it is essentially required to form complexes consisting of plural MT1-MMPs, in particular, an MT1-MMP homodimer. The formation of this dimer is based on the function of the PEX region in MT1-MMP. By using these findings, it is intended to inhibit the formation of the MT1-MMP homodimer and inhibit the activation of pro-MMP-2, thereby regulating the infiltration and metastasis of cancer, etc.