Matrix Metalloproteinases as a Pleiotropic Biomarker in Medicine and Biology

The group of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), calcium- and zinc-dependent proteolytic enzymes, is responsible for extracellular protein degradation. Acting together, supported by intracellular processes they are able to digest any phys- iological extracellular protein. However, the biochemistry of extracellular matrix (ECM) is very complex, and prote- olytic enzymes located in this compartment exert numerous pleiotropic e ects beyond the characteristic for the degrada- tion of structural elements. erefore, MMPs are involved into several physiological and pathological processe