Matrix metalloproteinase
This is an old revision of this page, as edited by DavidB4-bot (talk | contribs) at 14:14, June 24, 2016. It may differ significantly from current revision.
Matrix metalloproteinases are enzymes that can break down proteins, such as collagen, that are normally found in the spaces between cells in tissues (i.e., extracellular matrix proteins). Because these enzymes need zinc or calcium atoms to work properly, they are called metalloproteinases. Matrix metalloproteinases are involved in wound healing, angiogenesis, and tumor cell metastasis.