Characterizing the function-related specific assembly pattern of matrix metalloproteinase-14 by dSTORM imaging.

As transmembrane proteolytic enzyme, matrix metalloproteinase-14 (MMP14) regulates cell migration and cancer metastasis, but how it works at the single molecule level is unclear. Molecular localization is closely related to its function, and revealing its spatial assemble details is thus helpful to understand bio-function. Here, we apply aptamer probe and dSTORM to characterize MMP14 distribution. With demonstrating labeling properties of the probe, we investigate the specific distributed pattern of MMP14 on various cell membranes with different migratory capacities, and find that MMP14 mostly aggregate in clustering state, which becomes more significant with enhancing its hydrolysis efficiency on high-migratory cells. Lots of MMP14 are revealed to be co-localized with its substrate PTK7, and this colocalization decreases with weakening cell migration, suggesting that MMP14 may coordinate cell migration by altering its spatial relationship with substrate proteins. This work will promote a deep understanding of the roles of MMP14 in cell migration and cancer metastasis.
Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
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