Inhibition of metalloproteinases by coffee melanoidins

摘要

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a class of zinc-containing enzymes that are able to degrade and remodel extracellular matrix and basement membrane components, and are involved in several physiological processes, including embryonic development, growth, wound healing and other functions requiring tissue reorganization. However, MMPs are also associated with various inflammatory, malignant and degenerative diseases and are essential for tumour progression and metastasis. MMPs and other collagenases represent an important drug target. The Clostridium histo-lyticum collagenase (ChC) is also able to degrade collagen in physiological conditions. Besides its utility as model for inhibitor screening, ChC shows also importance in the therapy of diseases where bacterial proteases are a factor of virulence, as these proteases are involved in colonization and evasion of host immunedefences.