No abstract

No abstract

The amounts and activities of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) were studied in human myometrium and uterine leiomyomas in various stages of growth. It was found that both myometrium and the investigated tumors contain collagenolytic enzymes. MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-3 and MMP-9 were found. Gelatinase A (MMP-2) is the most abundant. In control myometrium only 10% of this enzyme exists in an active form, whereas in tumors, especially in large ones, the values reach 30%. It is suggested that the high activity of MMP-2 is responsible for remodelling of extracellular matrix in the growing tumors.

In this paper the authors present studies on the effect of auxin precursors and chemical analogues on the growth and biochemical composition in Chlorella pyrenoidosa (Chlorophyceae). Among auxin precursors tryptamine exhibited slightly higher stimulative activity in regard to fresh and dry weight, mineral substances, chlorophylls, carotenoids, monosaccharides (aldohexoses) and water-soluble proteins content in Ch. pyrenoidosa cells as compared to anthranilic acid. Among auxin analogues used phenoxyacetic acid and naphthyl-3-acetic acid had the strongest stimulative effect of the above-mentioned parameters. Their activity was significantly higher than that of auxin precursors. The activity of naphthyl-3-sulphonic acid was slightly lower than that of tryptamine, whereas the stimulation by 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid was similar to that of anthranilic acid. In Ch. pyrenoidosa cells 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and naphthyl-3-sulphonic reached their maximum activity at the latest (between the 15th or 16th day) of the culturing, whereas tryptamine, phenylacetic acid, naphthyl-3-acetic acid and indolyl-3-acetic acid - at the earliest (between the 8th or 12th) day

It was found that both normal human myometrium and uterine leiomyoma contain several glycosaminoglycans. In contrast to many normal and tumour tissues the amount of hyaluronic acid is very low and the proportional amount of sulphated glycosaminoglycans is distinctly higher. It is of interest that heparan sulphate is the major glycosaminoglycan component both in normal myometrium, and in leiomyoma. The amount of hyaluronic acid in myometrium and in the leiomyoma is very low. No significant change in hyaluronate content was observed during the tumour growth. In contrast to that the amount of some sulphated glycosaminoglycans (heparan sulphate, keratan sulphate, chondroitin sulphates and heparin) distinctly increased. It is suggested that some of the GAGs participate in the creation of a storage depot for biologically active molecules (growth factors, enzymes) which are thereby stabilized and protected. Hydrolytic degradation of some GAGs may result in the release of some cytokines which may promote the tumour growth and stimulate collagen biosynthesis by tumour cells.