1997 Volume 88 Issue 10 Pages 852-857
(Background) Matrix metalloproteinases-7 (MMP-7), one of an extracellular matrixdegrading metalloproteinase, play an important role tumor invasion and metastasis. We investigated localization, biochemical characterization and mRNA expression of MMP-7 in prostate tissues.
(Methods) Immunohistochemical method, SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and northern blot analysis were performed using tissues of prostatic cancer, BPH and normal prostate.
(Results) A latent proenzyme with Mr28, 000 of MMP-7 was detected in the ductal epithelial cells of BPH and in the cytoplasm of cancer cell of the prostate. The ratio of mRNA expression in MMP-7/β-actin was significantly higher in the tissue of the invasive prostatic cancer than those of normal prostate and BPH in northern blot analysis.
(Conclusions) these results suggest that MMP-7 may participate in the function of exocrine gland of normal prostate by preventing glandular obstruction and may play a role in invasion and metastasis of prostatic cancer.
