Correlation of MMP and TIMP with osteosarcoma invasion and metastasis

Matrix metallopmteinase(MMP),a family of proteolytic enzymes,can degradate the composition of extracellular matrix.Its structure,regulatory function and physiopathology have been deeply studied,and its role in tumor metastasis has received more attention.The tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase(TIMP),as an endogenous MMP inhibitor,suppresses both the form and course of MMP activation.The function zone of its C-end accords with some other parts of MMP,forming an MMP-TIMP compound,to block the combination of MMP with the substrate,suppress the activation of MMP,and slow down or block the invasion and metastasis of osteosarcoma.