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背景
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Matrix metalloproteinases are a family of zinc and calcium dependent endopeptidases with the combined ability to degrade all the components of the extracellular matrix. MMP-13 (Collagenase-3) has been demonstrated to degrade a range of extracellular matrix proteins, including collagen types I, II, III, IV, IX, X and XIV, gelatin, aggrecan, perlecan and fibronectin. MMP-13 is distinguished from the other human collagenases by its effecient degradation of type II collagen. MMP-13 is expressed by fibroblasts, chrondrocytes and squamous epithelial cells. Structurally, MMP-13 may be divided into several distinct domains; a pro-domain which is cleaved upon activation; a catalytic domain containing the zinc binding site; a short hinge region and a carboxyl terminal (hemopexin-like) domain.
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