Abstract: Tumor progression and metastasis is a complicated pathologic process, in which multiple proteases such as metalloproteases and the plasminogen activation system play a fundamental role. They mediate the degradation of extracellular matrix and the activation of membrane protein hydrolysis to allow migration of the cells into the extracellular environment. Matriptase is a type Ⅱ transmembrane trypsin-like serine protease expressed by epithelial original cells. Moreover, it is overexpressed in a lot of human cancers. It has been suggested that this protease may activate oncogenic pathways and be involved in the progress of tumor invasion and metastasis. This review summarizes current knowledge about matriptase and the structure, function of matriptase as well as the potential relationship with gynecological malignant tumors.

Key words: Neoplasms, Serine endopeptidases, Neoplasm metastasis, Neoplasm proteins, Matriptase