The RECK Gene and Biological Malignancy-Its Significance in Angiogenesis and Inhibition of Matrix Metalloproteinases

Abstract

The RECK (reversion-inducing cysteine-rich protein with Kazal motifs) gene is a relatively newly discovered gene with important implications in cancer biology. RECK is normally expressed in all cells of the body and has an important role in the balance between destructive and constructive features of the extracellular matrix (ECM). The RECK protein is a membrane-bound glycoprotein that inhibits matrix metalloproteinases with the function of breaking-down the ECM. There is a significant correlation between RECK gene expression and the formation of new vessels, presumably via the mediation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which is an important and powerful inducer of angiogenesis.. Research has shown that down-regulation of RECK is caused by the rat sarcoma oncogene (RAS), which is also a common cause of tumor development in the early stages. For a tumor to progress and gain characteristics that classifies it as malignant, the degradation of the ECM and mobilization of new blood vessels are essential functions. If the tumor is inhibited with respect to these functions, it will cease to grow. RECK is, therefore, a potential tumor inhibitor but also a prognostic marker available at early clinical stages.

Keywords

RECK; MMP; VEGF; metastasis; review

Published in

Anticancer Research
2014, volume: 34, number: 8, pages: 3867-3873
Publisher: INT INST ANTICANCER RESEARCH

SLU Authors

• Engström, Wilhelm

  • Department of Animal Biosciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

Global goals (SDG)

SDG3 Good health and well-being

UKÄ Subject classification

Cancer and Oncology

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/67288