Matrix metalloproteinases

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are zinc-dependent endopeptidases; other family members are adamalysins, serralysins, and astacins. The MMPs belong to a larger family of proteases known as the metzincin superfamily. Collectively they are capable of degrading all kinds of extracellular matrix proteins, but also can process a number of bioactive molecules. They are known to be involved in the cleavage of cell surface receptors, the release of apoptotic ligands (such as the FAS ligand), and chemokine/cytokine in/activation. MMPs are also thought to play a major role on cell behaviors such as cell proliferation, migration (adhesion/dispersion), differentiation, angiogenesis, apoptosis and host defense. Source: [[wikipedia:Matrix_metalloproteinase|Wikipedia]]

基质金属蛋白酶（MMPs）为锌依赖性内肽酶；其他家族成员包括adamalysins、serralysins和astacins。MMPs隶属于被称为metzincin超家族的更大蛋白酶家族。总体而言，它们能够降解各类细胞外基质蛋白，同时亦能处理多种生物活性分子。已知MMPs参与细胞表面受体的裂解、凋亡配体（如FAS配体）的释放以及趋化因子/细胞因子的激活/内化。MMPs还被认为是细胞增殖、迁移（粘附/分散）、分化、血管生成、凋亡和宿主防御等细胞行为的主要调节因子。资料来源：[维基百科：基质金属蛋白酶](https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%9F%BA%E8%B6%8A%E9%87%91%E8%83%BD%E8%84%82%E9%85%B8%E9%85%B8%E9%85%B8)。