Dynamic expression of MMP28 during cranial morphogenesis

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) are a large family of proteases comprising 24 members in vertebrates. They are well known for their extracellular matrix remodelling activity. MMP28 is the last member of the family to be discovered. It is a secreted MMP involved in wound healing, immune system maturation, cell survival and migration. MMP28 is also expressed during embryogenesis in human and mouse. Here we describe the detailed expression profile of MMP28 in Xenopus laevis embryos. We show that MMP28 is expressed maternally and accumulates at neurula and tailbud stages specifically in the cranial placode territories adjacent to migrating neural crest cells. As a secreted MMP, MMP28 may be required in normal neural crest-placode interactions.Â

基质金属蛋白酶（Matrix metalloproteinases，MMP）是一类庞大的蛋白酶家族，在脊椎动物中包含24个成员。该家族因介导细胞外基质重塑的活性而广为人知。MMP28是该家族最后一个被发现的成员，属于分泌型基质金属蛋白酶，参与伤口愈合、免疫系统成熟、细胞存活与细胞迁移过程。此外，MMP28在人类和小鼠的胚胎发生过程中均有表达。本研究详细描述了非洲爪蟾（Xenopus laevis）胚胎中MMP28的表达谱，结果显示MMP28呈母源性表达，并在神经胚期与尾芽期特异性富集于迁移中的神经嵴细胞相邻的颅基板区域。作为分泌型基质金属蛋白酶，MMP28可能在正常神经嵴-基板互作中发挥必需作用。