title: Multilevel regulation of matrix metalloproteinases in tissue homeostasis indicates their molecular specificity in vivo.
abstract: The matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play a crucial role in irreversible remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in normal homeostasis and pathological states. Accumulating data from various studies strongly suggest that MMPs are tightly regulated, starting from the level of gene expression all the way to zymogen activation and endogenous inhibition, with each level controlled by multiple factors. Recent in vivo findings indicate that cell-ECM and cell-cell interactions, as well as ECM bio-active products, contribute an additional layer of regulation at all levels, indicating that individual MMP expression and activity in vivo are highly coordinated and tissue specific processes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Regulation, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel; Department of Natural Sciences, Baruch College, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gaffney
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Regulation, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
authors.forename: Inna
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Solomonov
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Regulation, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
authors.forename: Eldar
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Zehorai
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Regulation, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel. Electronic address: irit.sagi@weizmann.ac.il.
authors.forename: Irit
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sagi
mesh_terms: D002450:Cell Communication; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D009928:Organ Specificity; D013379:Substrate Specificity; D019714:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D019714:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases
keywords: Extracellular matrix; Matrix metalloproteinases; Regulation