We have previously reported that human colon cancer cells secrete a factor(s) which induces elongation of colon fibroblasts in vitro. Isolation of this factor led to the identification of a 55kD protein with fibroblast stretching activity. Two internal amino acid sequences identified in this protein (YEI; GFQALGDAADI) share complete homology with tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP-1). (C) 1995 Academic Press, Inc.