title: The role of matrix metalloproteinases in muscle and adipose tissue development and meat quality: A review.
abstract: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a group of enzymes that degrade extracellular matrix components but are also important signaling molecules that regulate many biological processes including muscle, adipose and connective tissue development. Most recently it has been discovered that MMPs act as intracellular signaling molecules inducing gene expression and altering related proteins in the nucleus. Several single nucleotide polymorphisms of MMPs and their inhibitors are known to exist and most of the research on MMPs to date has focused on their activity in relation to human health and disease. Nevertheless there is a growing body of evidence identifying important roles of MMPs as regulators of myogenesis, fibrogenesis and adipogenesis. The aim of this review is to highlight the currently known functions of the MMPs that have a direct bearing on the deposition of meat components and their relationship with meat quality. Some central pathways by which these enzymes can affect the tenderness, the amount and type of fatty acids are highlighted.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Tecnología y Calidad de los Alimentos, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, Tandil, Argentina.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Christensen
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Tecnología y Calidad de los Alimentos, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, Tandil, Argentina. Electronic address: ppurslow@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Peter P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Purslow
mesh_terms: D050156:Adipogenesis; D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000201:enzymology*; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000032:analysis; D063427:Food Quality; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D024510:Muscle Development; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000201:enzymology*; D000069466:Red Meat; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D005227:Fatty Acids; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases
keywords: Adipogenesis; Connective tissue; Development; IMF; MMP; Matrix metalloprotease; Meat; Meat toughness; Muscle growth; TIMP