BM-40 and MMP-2 expression are not coregulated in human melanoma cell lines

As published recently, suppression of BM-40 (osteonectin, SPARC) expression reduced the in vitro adhesive and invasive capacities of melanoma cells. I n parallel, a decreased production of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) wa s observed in these cells indicating a close coregulation of these two prot eins. However, analysis of 12 independently established melanoma cell lines , exhibiting different metastatic capacities, did not reveal a positive cor relation between BM-40 or MMP-2 expression and the metastatic capacities of these cell Lines. In addition, direct comparison of BM-40 and MMP-2 mRNA l evels did not provide evidence for coregulation of these two proteins. This was further corroborated by the finding that exogenous BM-40 failed to alt er synthesis and activation of proMMP-2. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.