Interactions between Notch and Matrix metalloproteinases: role in cancer

Notch has its importance in the development and maintenance of cells and tissues. Either gain or loss of notch signalling causes a wide range of abnormalities including cancer. To activate Notch signalling, the notch ligand must be processed by the family of proteases, ADAMs. Until recently, exclusively in the cancer context, a class of proteases, Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) were known to cleave notch and trigger downstream signalling. Notch was found to regulate the expression of Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) through crosstalk. Studies have revealed that interactions between notch and MMPs are associated with aggressive cancer traits such as invasion, metastasis, angiogenesis, and endothelial mesenchymal transition. In this review, we recapitulate the studies which reveal the Notch-MMP interactions that have provided new perception into the mechanisms behind Notch-mediated aggressiveness in cancers.