TIMP-1 ELISA Kit, Human

BACKGROUND TIMP-1 is a 28.5 kDa glycoprotein that forms non-covalent 1 : 1 stoichiometric complexes with MMPs, thereby inhibiting the proteolytic activity of these enzymes. It is a member of the TIMP family, currently comprising four members (TIMP-1, -2, 3- and -4), which exhibit approximately 50% sequence similarity, is expressed by a wide range of cells and is present in most tissues and body fluids.¹ Common to all members of the TIMP family is the presence of 12 cysteine residues in conserved regions forming six disulfide bonds that fold the protein into a two-domain structure. The presence of a large number of disulfide bonds renders the TIMP molecules resistant to extremes of temperature and pH, and denaturing conditions. High levels of TIMP-1 mRNA as well as TIMP-1 protein have been demonstrated in several types of cancer, including breast cancer, and this has been associated with a poor prognosis of the patients.² The association between high levels of protease inhibitor and poor prognosis may be somewhat surprising, as proteolytic activity plays a pivotal role in cancer cell invasion and metastasis. This paradox points to TIMP-1 as a multifunctional protein, which in addition to the MMP-inhibitory effect has distinct tumor-promoting functions. It has been shown that TIMP-1 can mediate growth promotion and anti-apoptotic effects as well as both anti- and pro-angiogenic functions.³

 

REFERENCES  

1. Gomez, D.E.: Eur J Cell Biol. 74:111-22, 1997
2. Gardner, J. & Ghorpade, A.: J. Neurosci. Res. 74:801-6, 2003
3. Rhee, J-S. et al: Cancer Res. 64:952-61, 2004 
 

 

ELISA Kits are based on standard sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technology. Freshly prepared standards, samples, and solutions are recommended for best results.