基质金属蛋白酶 (MMPs)是包含至少 2 6个成员的酶家族。它们除降解细胞外基质外 ,还可以作用于其它的蛋白激酶、细胞趋化分子、生长因子、生长因子连接蛋白以及细胞表面分子等。MMPs的活性受组织型金属蛋白酶抑制物 (TIMPs)调控。MMPs和TIMPs在生理状态和癌症进程中的细胞外基质重塑过程中发挥重要作用 ,特别是MMP 2和TIMP 2。它们主要是调节肿瘤进展的早期阶段 ,如肿瘤生成和血管新生。 Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of enzymes that contain at least 26 members. In addition to their degradation of the extracellular matrix, they can also act on other protein kinases, chemokines, growth factors, growth factor connexins and cell surface molecules. The activity of MMPs is regulated by tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs). MMPs and TIMPs play an important role in the remodeling of extracellular matrix in both physiological and cancer processes, in particular MMP2 and TIMP2. They are mainly to regulate the early stages of tumor progression, such as tumorigenesis and angiogenesis.