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[Localization and expression of matrix metalloproteinase-7 in human prostate]
K Hashimoto1, A Yano, T Tanabe
1Department of Urology, Hiroshima University School of Medicine, Japan.
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/beta-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.