Proper cell-cell and cell-ECM interactions are vital for cell migration and patterning of the vertebrate embryo. MMPs and their inhibitors, RECK and TIMPs, are all differentially expressed during embryogenesis to regulate such ECM remodeling and cell interactions. MT1-MMP, RECK, and TIMP-2 are unique amongst other ECM-regulating proteins as they act in the pericellular space. Past studies have shown that RECK and TIMP-2 interact with MT1-MMP on the cell surface, thereby influencing cell behaviour as well as the microenvironment immediately surrounding the cells. We investigated the localization of RECK, TIMP-2, and MT1-MMP proteins throughout early X. laevis development using immunohistochemistry. We found that during neural tube formation, axis elongation, and organogenesis, RECK, TIMP-2, and MT1-MMP proteins show highly similar localization patterns, particularly in the ectoderm and in the dorsal-ventral differentiation of the neural tube. Our data suggests they function together during patterning events in early Xenopus development.

正确的细胞-细胞和细胞-ECM相互作用对于脊椎动物胚胎的细胞迁移和模式至关重要。MMP及其抑制剂RECK和TIMP在胚胎发生过程中均差异表达，以调节此类ECM重塑和细胞相互作用。MT1-MMP，RECK和TIMP-2在其他ECM调节蛋白中是独特的，因为它们在细胞周围空间发挥作用。过去的研究表明，RECK和TIMP-2与细胞表面的MT1-MMP相互作用，从而影响细胞行为以及细胞周围的微环境。我们调查了整个早期X. laevis中RECK，TIMP-2和MT1-MMP蛋白的定位。使用免疫组织化学进行发育。我们发现，在神经管形成，轴伸长和器官发生过程中，RECK，TIMP-2和MT1-MMP蛋白显示出高度相似的定位模式，尤其是在神经外胚层和背－腹分化中。我们的数据表明，它们在非洲爪蟾早期发育的模式化事件中一起发挥作用。