LOCAL ACTIVITY OF MATRIX METALLOPROTEINASES IN A CASE OF BOTRYOID SARCOMA

The aim of the study was to assess the activities of the collagenases type IV (matrix metalloproteinase type 2 [MMP-2] and matrix metallopro teinase type 9 [MMP-9]), also known as gelatinases, and the local acti vity of interstitial collagenase (matrix metalloproteinase type I[MMP- 1]) in tissue extracts from a case of the botryoid sarcoma, a rare and very malignant tumour of the female genital tract. Zymography reveale d that botryoid sarcoma does not express the 92-kDa form of type IV co llagenase activity in Triton extract and only weak activity in Heat ex tract when compared to values found in extracts from striated muscle a nd fibroma uteri. MMP-1 appeared in the latent form only in the Triton extract of botryoid sarcoma and its activity was lower than those fou nd in the control tissues. These results indicate that the very rapid local invasion and systemic metastases associated with botryoid sarcom a do not depend on the activity of tumour-derived gelatinases.