Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs, 1 matrixins) are believed to participate in angiogenesis, embryonic development, morphogenesis, reproduction, tissue resorption and remodeling, and tumor growth, progression, invasion, and metastasis through breakdown of the extracellular matrix, cell surface proteins, and processing growth factors, cytokines, and chemokines (1-3). Recently, human MMP-26 (endometase/matrilysin 2) was identified and its mRNA expression was detected in normal tissues of the human uterus and placenta, and in many types of malignant tumors (4 -7). Characterization of the MMP-26 promoter suggests that this proteinase may be expressed in cancer cells of epithelial origin (8). MMP-26 may play an important role in human prostate and breast cancer invasion (9 -10).MMP-26 cleaves type I gelatin, ␣ 1 -proteinase inhibitor, fibrinogen, fibronectin, vitronectin, type IV collagen, and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (4, 7, 11). Studies of MMP-26 indicate that it has substrate specificity similar to other MMPs, with the exception of a preference for Ile at the P 2 and P 2 Ј positions, for small residues at the P 3 Ј and P 4 Ј positions, and Lys at the P 4 position (11). MMP-26 also hydrolyzes several synthetic fluorogenic peptide substrates designed for stromelysin-1, gelatinases, collagenases, and tumor necrosis factor-␣ converting enzyme (4, 11). According to these peptide substrate studies, MMP-26 may be capable of cleaving a broad range of substrates, although it has less catalytic efficiency than other MMPs.X-ray crystal structures of MMPs illustrate that overall topology and secondary structures are conserved (12-18). The S 1 Ј pocket, a hydrophobic pocket of variable depth, is a well defined substrate P 1 Ј-binding site in MMPs. Three types of S 1 Ј pockets can be distinguished from the available structures of . One type is a shallow pocket, as found in MMP-1 (human fibroblast collagenase; 13) and 16), where the pockets are limited by the side chains of Arg and Tyr, respectively, crossing the pockets. Many of the structurally known MMPs possess Leu at the corresponding site, and its side chain forms the top of the pocket rather than crossing the pocket. These Leu-containing MMPs may be further classified as deep and intermediate S 1 Ј pocket MMPs. A deep, tunnel-like pocket is found in MMP-3 (stromelysin-1; 12), MMP-12 (metalloelastase; 17), and MMP-14 (MT1-MMP; 21), whereas MMP-2 (gelatinase A; 22), MMP-8 (human neutrophil collagenase; 15), and MMP-9 (gelatinase B; 23) possess an intermedi-

Acting on a broad spectrum of extracellular, intracellular, and membrane-associated substrates, the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are critical to the biological processes of organisms; when aberrantly expressed, many pathological conditions may be born or exacerbated. The prospect of MMP inhibition for therapeutic benefit in cancer, cardiovascular disease, and stroke is reviewed here. MMP inhibitor (MMPI) development constitutes an important branch of research in both academic and industrial settings and advances our knowledge on the structure-function relationship of MMPs. Targeting MMPs in disease treatment is complicated by the fact that MMPs are indispensable for normal development and physiology and by their multi-functionality, possible functional redundancy or contradiction, and context-dependent expression and activity. This complexity was revealed by previous efforts to inhibit MMP activity in the treatment of cancer patients that yielded unsatisfactory results. This review focuses on MMPI development since the late 90s, in terms of natural products and their derivatives, and synthetic compounds of low molecular mass incorporating specific zinc-binding groups (ZBGs). A few polyphenols and flavonoids that exhibit MMPI activities may have chemopreventive and neuro- and cardiovascular-protective effects. A new generation of potent and selective MMPIs with novel ZBGs and inhibition mechanisms have been designed, synthesized, and tested. Although only one collagenase inhibitor (Periostat, doxycycline hyclate) has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a drug for the treatment of periodontal disease, new hope is emerging in the form of natural and synthetic MMPIs for the prevention and treatment of stroke, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and other medical conditions.

The identification of novel biomarkers for early prostate cancer diagnosis is highly important because early detection and treatment are critical for the medical management of patients. Disruption in the continuity of both the basal cell layer and basement membrane is essential for the progression of high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN) to invasive adenocarcinoma in human prostate. The molecules involved in the conversion to an invasive phenotype are the subject of intense scrutiny. We have previously reported that matrix metalloproteinase-26 (MMP-26) promotes the invasion of human prostate cancer cells via the cleavage of basement membrane proteins and by activating the zymogen form of MMP-9. Furthermore, we have found that tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-4 (TIMP-4) is the most potent endogenous inhibitor of MMP-26. Here we demonstrate higher (p<0.0001) MMP-26 and TIMP-4 expression in HGPIN and cancer, compared to non-neoplastic acini. Their expression levels are highest in HGPIN, but decline in invasive cancer (p<0.001 for each) in the same tissues. Immunohistochemical staining of serial prostate cancer tissue sections suggests colocalization of MMP-26 and TIMP-4. The present study indicates that MMP-26 and TIMP-4 may play an integral role during the conversion of HGPIN to invasive cancer and may also serve as markers for early prostate cancer diagnosis.

Human MMP-26 (matrix metalloproteinase-26) (also known as endometase or matrilysin-2) is a putative biomarker for human carcinomas of breast, prostate and other cancers of epithelial origin. Calcium modulates protein structure and function and may act as a molecular signal or switch in cells. The relationship between MMPs and calcium has barely been studied and is absent for MMP-26. We have investigated the calcium-binding sites and the role of calcium in MMP-26. MMP-26 has one high-affinity and one low-affinity calcium binding site. High-affinity calcium binding was restored at physiologically low calcium conditions with a calcium-dissociation constant of 63 nM without inducing secondary and tertiary structural changes. High-affinity calcium binding protects MMP-26 against thermal denaturation. Mutants of this site (D165A or E191A) lose enzymatic activity. Low-affinity calcium binding was restored at relatively high calcium concentrations and showed a K d2 (low-affinity calcium-dissociation constant) value of 120 µM, which was accompanied with the recovery of enzymatic activity reversibly and tertiary structural changes, but without secondary structural rearrangements. Mutations at the low-affinity calcium-binding site (C3 site), K189E or D114A, induced enhanced affinity for the Ca 2+ ion or an irreversible loss of enzymatic activity triggered by low-affinity calcium binding respectively. Mutation at non-calcium-binding site (V184D at C2 site) showed that C2 is not a true calcium-binding site. Observations from homology-modelled mutant structures correlated with these experimental results. A human breast cancer cell line, MDA-MB-231, transfected with wild-type MMP-26 cDNA showed a calcium-dependent invasive potential when compared with controls that were transfected with an inactive form of MMP-26 (E209A). Calcium-independent high invasiveness was observed in the K189E mutant MDA-MB-231 cell line.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of hydrolytic enzymes that play significant roles in development, morphogenesis, inflammation, and cancer invasion. Endometase (matrilysin 2 or MMP-26) is a putative early biomarker for human carcinomas. The effects of the ionic and nonionic detergents on catalytic activity of endometase were investigated. The hydrolytic activity of endometase was detergent concentration-dependent exhibiting a bell-shaped curve with its maximum activity near the critical micelle concentration (CMC) of nonionic detergents tested. The effect of Brij-35 on human gelatinase B (MMP-9), matirilysin (MMP-7), and membrane-type 1 MMP (MT1-MMP) was further explored. Their maximum catalysis was observed near the CMC of Brij-35 (~90 μM). Their IC 50 values were above the CMC. The inhibition mechanism of MMP-7, MMP-9, and MT1-MMP by Brij-35 was mixed-type as determined by Dixon's plot, however, that of endometase was non-competitive with a K i value of 240 μM. The catalytic activities of MMPs are influenced by detergents. Monomer of detergents may activate and stabilize MMPs to enhance catalysis, but micelle of detergents may sequester enzyme and block substrate binding site to impede catalysis. Under physiological conditions lipid or membrane microenvironment may regulate enzymatic activity. KeywordsMatrix metalloproteinases (MMPs); MMP-26; ionic and nonionic detergents; critical micelle concentration; enzyme kinetics; enzyme inhibition mechanisms; regulation of catalytic activity; peptide hydrolysis; inhibition constant; putative cancer biomarker; homology modeling; hydrophobic interaction; lipids and membrane microenvironment; detergent-enzyme interaction; detergent-substrate interaction