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Updated: Feb 11, 2026

Dual Bioluminescence Imaging of Tumor Progression and Angiogenesis
Published on: August 1, 2019
[The role of exosomal tetraspanins and proteases in tumor progression]
N V Yunusova1, E A Tugutova2, S N Tamkovich3
1Cancer Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk, Russia; Siberian State Medical University, Tomsk, Russia.
Abstract:
Major (CD9, CD63, CD81) and others (CD82, CD151, Tspan8) tetraspanins are widely represented in exosomes, where they interact with various proteins and form functional tetraspanin complexes. Tetraspanin complexes include proteases. Tetraspanin-associated exosomal proteases (ADAM proteases, MMPs, EMMPRIN) play an important role in the processes of cell motility, migration, invasion and formation of metastases. Also, a significant contribution to tumor progression is made by proteases that are not associated with tetraspanins. They destabilize intercellular contacts, promote migration and invasion of tumor cells, participate in the regulation of the expression IGF-I, VEGF and transcription factors activation/deactivation. The role of other proteases of exosomes in the processes of tumor progression is being clarified.
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