How MMPs Remodel the Extracellular Matrix

Matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) are enzymes that break down proteins and glycoproteins in the extracellular matrix, or ECM. The ECM is the dense network around cells. By cutting ECM molecules, MMPs help cells move and grow through tissue.

MMPs are important during embryonic development and morphog...

All tissues and cell types are surrounded by an extracellular matrix or ECM. So,  degradation of ECM is necessary to make space for the cells to proliferate and migrate.

Cells do so by secreting matrix metalloproteases or MMPs, specialized enzymes which hydrolyze proteins and glycoproteins present in the ECM.

MMPs are a large famil...