Matrilysin (matrix metalloproteinase-7) plays important roles in tumor progression. It was previously found that matrilysin binds to the surface of colon cancer cells to promote their metastatic potential. In this study, we identified annexin II as a novel membrane-bound substrate of matrilysin. Treatment of human colon cancer cell lines with active matrilysin released a 35 kDa annexin II form, which lacked its N-terminal region, into the culture supernatant. The release of the 35 kDa annexin II by matrilysin was significantly enhanced in the presence of serotonin or heparin
