[HTML][HTML] ECM and cell surface proteolysis: regulating cellular ecology

Z Werb - Cell, 1997 - cell.com
Cell, 1997cell.com
Cell–cell and cell–extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions provide cells with information
essential for controlling morphogenesis, cell fate specification, gain or loss of tissue-specific
functions, cell migration, tissue repair, and cell death. Degradation or activation of cell
surface and ECM proteins by proteolysis can mediate rapid and irreversible responses to
changes in the cellular microenvironment. By concentrating proteolytic events at or near the
cell surface, these processes can be effective even in the presence of high concentrations of …
Cell–cell and cell–extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions provide cells with information essential for controlling morphogenesis, cell fate specification, gain or loss of tissue-specific functions, cell migration, tissue repair, and cell death. Degradation or activation of cell surface and ECM proteins by proteolysis can mediate rapid and irreversible responses to changes in the cellular microenvironment. By concentrating proteolytic events at or near the cell surface, these processes can be effective even in the presence of high concentrations of inhibitors. This minireview considers the cellular and organismal functions of ECM proteinases. Their biochemical and structural properties are reviewed elsewhere (
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