Pathobiology in the MMP and Adam Families Determined by Induced Mutations

摘要

Zinc metalloproteases are proteases and peptidases that require zinc for their catalytic activity. These proteins are divided into subfamilies based on conserved sequences and structural characteristics (Fig. 1). The metzincin family contains the matrixins, which include secreted matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and membrane type (MT)-MMPs and the adamalysins, of which the ADAMs (A Disintegrin and Metalloprotease) and reprolysins (snake venom), ADAMTS (ADAMs with thrombospondin motif) and more recently an ADAMTS-like (ADAMTSL) group are members (1). Inhibitors include four tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMPs), alpha 2-macroglobuin, thrombospondin 1 and 2, and lesser inhibitors such as reversion-inducing cys-teine-rich protein with Kazel motifs (RECK), procollagen C-terminal proteinase enhancer (PCHE) and tissue factor pathway inhibitor 2 (TFPI-2) (2,3). See Figure 1.