Identification of Gelatinases in Prostate Cancer Cells

Prostate cancer remains one of the most common oncological diseases among men. Gelatinases, such as MMP-13, MMP-7, and MMP-9, play a key role in tumor invasion and metastasis. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and metalloproteinases are considered as potential biomarkers and targets for diagnosis and therapy of prostate cancer. Gelatin zymography was used in the study to estimate the activity of gelatinases in the PC-3 prostate cancer cell line. The results demonstrated the presence of protein bands corresponding to a proteolytic activity of gelatinases in the size range of 20, 28, and 37 kDa, which coincides with the activity of MMP-13, MMP-7, and PSA. Thus, gelatinases MMP-13, MMP-7, and PSA, which can be used as markers of prostate cancer aggressiveness and progression, were identified in prostate cancer cells.