Collagenase and Family: Targets for Drug Design

摘要

Collagenase belongs to a family of zinc and calcium dependent enzymes, the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which are synthesised as zymogens in connective tissue. The MMPs, also called matrixins, represent viable targets for drug design since they have been implicated in the accelerated breakdown of connective tissue seen in pathological conditions such as arthritis, tumour metastasis and periodontal disease. Safe, effective and specific inhibitors of these proteases therefore provide potential as new treatments for a variety of diseases including cancer arthritis and multiple sclerosis.