The structure and regulation of the human and mouse matrix metalloproteinase-21 gene and protein

Biochem J. 2003 Jun 1;372(Pt 2):503-15. doi: 10.1042/BJ20030174.

Abstract

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play key roles in tissue remodelling under normal development and, especially, in diseases ranging from malignancies to stroke. We cloned and thoroughly characterized the novel human and mouse MMP gene encoding MMP-21. MMP-21 is the last uncharacterized MMP coded by the human genome. Human and mouse MMP-21 is the orthologue of Xenopus laevis X-MMP. The latent proenzyme of MMP-21 (569 amino acid residues) consists of the prodomain, the catalytic domain and the haemopexin-like domain, and is potentially capable of being activated in its secretory pathway to the extracellular milieu by furin-like proprotein convertases. Human MMP-21 is the probable target gene of the Wnt pathway. In addition, the expression of MMP-21 is controlled uniquely by Pax and Notch transcription factors known to be critical for organogenesis. MMP-21 is expressed transiently in mouse embryogenesis and increased in embryonic neuronal tissues. Our observations clearly indicate that there is an important specific function for MMP-21 in embryogenesis, especially in neuronal cells.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Breast Neoplasms / enzymology
  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Catalytic Domain
  • DNA, Complementary / chemistry
  • DNA, Complementary / genetics
  • Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay
  • Embryonic and Fetal Development / genetics
  • Escherichia coli / metabolism
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic
  • Genes, Regulator / genetics
  • Humans
  • Immunoblotting
  • Immunoenzyme Techniques
  • Matrix Metalloproteinases / chemistry*
  • Matrix Metalloproteinases / genetics*
  • Matrix Metalloproteinases / metabolism
  • Matrix Metalloproteinases, Secreted
  • Mice
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / isolation & purification
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
  • Sequence Deletion
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
  • Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured

Substances

  • DNA, Complementary
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • MMP21 protein, human
  • Matrix Metalloproteinases
  • Matrix Metalloproteinases, Secreted

Associated data

  • GENBANK/AF520613
  • GENBANK/AY121358
  • GENBANK/AY124569