The matrix metalloprotease pump-1 (MMP-7, matrilysin): A candidate marker/target for ovarian cancer detection and treatment

Matrix metalloproteases are known to play an important role in tumor invasi on by mediating degradation of extracellular matrix. In this study, we have investigated the expression of the matrix metalloprotease pump-1 gene (als o referred to as MMP-7, Matrilysin) in 44 ovarian tumors (12 low malignant potential tumors, 32 carcinomas) and 10 normal ovaries using quantitative P CR. The PCR product was labelled with P-32 and a phosphoimager was used to determine the relative expression of pump-1 compared to an internal control beta-tubulin. mRNA expression levels of pump-1 were significantly elevated in 9 of 12 low malignant potential tumors and 26 of 32 carcinomas. Norther n blot hybridization showed that the 1.1-kb pump-1 transcript was abundant in carcinoma but seldom expressed in normal adult tissues including normal ovary. Immunohistochemical localization of the pump-1 protein confirms its expression by ovarian tumor cells. Our results suggest that pump-1 is frequ ently overexpressed in ovarian tumors and may contribute to its invasive na ture or growth capacity, therefore pump-1 may serve as a useful marker for early detection of disease and/or a target for therapeutic intervention in downregulation of tumor progression.