Lost in disruption: role of proteases in glioma invasion and progression - PubMed (original) (raw)

Review

. 2012 Apr;1825(2):178-85.

doi: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2011.12.001. Epub 2011 Dec 22.

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Review

Lost in disruption: role of proteases in glioma invasion and progression

Rolf Mentlein et al. Biochim Biophys Acta. 2012 Apr.

Abstract

A characteristic feature of malignant glial tumors (gliomas) is their tendency to diffusely infiltrate the nervous system preventing their complete surgical resection. Proteases play a decisive role in this malignant process, either by degradation of brain extracellular matrix (ECM) components, adhesion molecules, or by regulating the activity of growth and chemotactic factors. Secreted matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and ADAMTS proteases (ADAMs with thrombospondin motifs) cleave different ECM components like the proteoglycans (lecticans) aggrecan, versican, neurocan and brevican with selective preferences; they are further regulated by endogenous inhibitors and activating metallo- and serine proteases. Cell surface proteases of the ADAM family (A Disintegrin And Metalloproteinase), but also serine proteases regulate the activity of growth factors and chemokines that act as autocrine / paracrine stimulators within gliomas. Thus, proteases play a decisive role for the spread and growth of gliomas and are prominent targets for their therapy.

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