title: Membrane-type matrix metalloproteinases: Their functions and regulations.
abstract: Membrane-type matrix metalloproteinases (MT-MMPs) form a subgroup of the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family, and there are 6 MT-MMPs in humans. MT-MMPs are further sub-classified into type I transmembrane-type (MT1, -MT2-, MT3- and MT5-MMPs) and glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored type (MT4- and MT6-MMPs). In either case MT-MMPs are tethered to the plasma membrane, and this cell surface expression provides those enzymes with unique functionalities affecting various cellular behaviours. Among the 6 MT-MMPs, MT1-MMP is the most investigated enzyme and many of its roles and regulations have been revealed to date, but the potential roles and regulatory mechanisms of other MT-MMPs are gradually getting clearer as well. Further investigations of MT-MMPs are likely to reveal novel pathophysiological mechanisms and potential therapeutic strategies for different diseases in the future.
authors: Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Headington, Oxford OX3 7FY, UK. Electronic address: yoshi.itoh@kennedy.ox.ac.uk.
authors: Yoshifumi
authors: Y
authors: Itoh
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001168:Arthritis / Q000201:enzymology; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000201:enzymology; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; D006801:Humans; D053504:Matrix Metalloproteinases, Membrane-Associated / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology
chemical_list: D053504:Matrix Metalloproteinases, Membrane-Associated
keywords: ECM degradation; GPI-anchor; MMP; MT-MMP; Transmembrane