Cell migration over or through the extracellular matrix (ECM) is an integra
l feature of both physiological and pathological processes. Regulation of t
he changing cell-ECM interactions involved can be effected by proteolysis a
nd requires strict spatial and temporal targeting of proteinase activity. T
he versatile use of different proteinase systems, with a variety of localis
ation mechanisms and cleavage targets, is being revealed by a plethora of s
tudies using in vitro models. This mini review reflects the status of our k
nowledge of strategies for the localisation of proteolytic activity effecte
d during cell migration.(C) 2001 Federation of European Biochemical Societi
es. Published by Elsevier Science BN. All rights reserved.