Matrix metalloproteinases – an overview

Abstract

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs, matrixins) are a family of secreted and membrane-bound zinc-dependent endopeptidases that have the combined capacity to degrade all the components of the extracellular matrix. These enzymes have a common zinc-binding motif (HEXXHXXGXXH) in their active site and a conserved methionine turn following the active site. MMP enzymes are strongly involved in a kaleidoscope of normal, pathological, physiological, and biological processes such as embryogenesis, normal tissue remodeling, wound healing, and angiogenesis, and in diseases such as atheroma, arthritis, cancer, and tissue ulceration. MMPs play a significant role in vascular remodeling. Broad-spectrum metalloproteinase inhibitors as potential therapeutics have been developed to explore the involvement of MMPs in various diseases.