Progelatinase A activation during tumor cell invasion.

The mechanisms of tumor cell invasion appear to be the same as those of normal cells that invade. Thus malignancy can be defined as a defect in the regulation of a predefined cellular program of invasion. Gelatinase A (MMP-2) has been shown to contribute to the invasive phenotype. Recent work demonstrates that activation of progelatinase A is a key event in the acquisition of malignant potential. This brief report reviews some recent findings on the cellular mechanism of progelatinase A activation and the role of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2 in this process.