During metastasis cancer cells need to move through the ECM

During metastasis, cancer cells need to move through the ECM to get to the blood or lymph vessels. Remembering what the ECM is made of, which of the following enzymes would help the cancer cell with this process?

a) collagenase

b) plasmin

c) cyclins

d) telomerase

Solution

Telomerase is an enzyme that can be associated with its role in telomeres of DNA and plays an active role in sequencing. They have less to do with extra-cellular matrix (ECM). So we discard that option.

Cyclins are proteins that help in progress of cell cycle and have to do much with the advancement of new cell development cycle rather than ECM So we discard that option as well.

Plasmin are found in blood and have been associated with fibrin rather than ECM, though it does stimulate collagenases at times. But that is not a primary role which takes the front seat even in oncological conditions. So, that option is also out.

Collagenase are enzymes known to destroy peptide bonds in collagen, which is a key component of ECM. Production of collagenase is induced by cytokines which are produced by various lymphocytes. Destruction of collagen can facilitate ease of passage for the cancer cells during metastasis.

So, answer is option a) Collagenase.