Research progress of membrane type 1 matrix metalloproteinase in tumor invasion and metastasis

Matrix metalloproteinases play an important role in the tumor invasion and metastasis. Membrane type matrix metalloproteinase is a new member of matrix metalloproteinase family, among which membrane type 1 matrix metalloproteinase is the most extensive and extremely important. It directly or indirectly degrades various components of extracellular matrix, has an impact on the process of tumor invasion,metastasis and vascularization through regulating many kinds of cellular effector molecules, and plays an important role in the process of tumor invasion and metastasis. Key words: Membrane type 1 matrix metalloproteinase; Tumor; Invasion; Metastasis