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Contribution of ADAMTS1 as a tumor suppressor gene in human breast carcinoma. Linking its tumor inhibitory properties to its proteolytic activity on nidogen‐1 and nidogen‐2
Author(s) -
MartinoEcharri Estefanía,
FernándezRodríguez Rubén,
RodríguezBaena Francisco Javier,
BarrientosDurán Antonio,
TorresCollado Antoni X.,
Carmen PlazaCalonge María,
AmadorCubero Suyapa,
Cortés Javier,
Reynolds Louise E.,
HodivalaDilke Kairbaan M.,
RodríguezManzaneque Juan Carlos
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
international journal of cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.475
H-Index - 234
eISSN - 1097-0215
pISSN - 0020-7136
DOI - 10.1002/ijc.28271
Subject(s) - cancer research , breast carcinoma , breast cancer , biology , cancer , genetics
The extracellular protease ADAMTS1 (A disintegrin and metalloprotease with thrombospondin repeats 1) has been described as an anti‐angiogenic molecule and its role as a putative tumor protective molecule has also been suggested. Here, we have used a tumor xenograft model to determine the role of ADAMTS1 in tumor growth and angiogenesis. Increasing levels of the protease led to the complete inhibition of tumor growth. In an attempt to elucidate the mechanism of action of this protease, we focused our attention on its proteolytic activity on nidogens, one of the main components of the vascular basement membrane. The increased expression of ADAMTS1 was accompanied by increased proteolysis of nidogen‐1 and ‐2 and their almost complete removal from vascular structures, together with major morphological alterations of tumor blood vessels and a decreased vessel density. The clinical relevance of this work is supported by our observations that ADAMTS1 expression is decreased in breast tumor specimens when compared with healthy tissue. Our studies also reveal that the cleavage of nidogen‐1 and ‐2 is partially inhibited in human tumor samples. Moreover, the deposition of both nidogens surrounding vascular structures is drastically altered, implying a possible reduction in the maintenance of vessel integrity. Our studies reflect the requirement to explore the functional interactions between proteases and specific substrates in cancer biology.