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Description

MMPs are frequently expressed in malignant neoplastic cells and play crucial roles in tumor invasion and metastasis. Tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMPs) control the activitiy of MMPS. The tissue distribution of three major MMPs has been defined in human mammary pathology: 1) collagenase (MMP-1) which degrades fibrillar interstitial collagens, 2) a 72-k/Da gelatinase (MMP-2) which mainly degrades type IV collagen and denatured collagens, and 3) stromelysin (MMP-3) which has a wider range of action, degrading several matrix components including the core proteins of proteoglycans, laminin and non-helical regions of collagens.