Neutrophil collagenase, also known as matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) or PMNL collagenase (MNL-CL), is a
collagen
Collagen () is the main structural protein in the extracellular matrix found in the body's various connective tissues. As the main component of connective tissue, it is the most abundant protein in mammals, making up from 25% to 35% of the whole ...
cleaving enzyme
Enzymes () are proteins that act as biological catalysts by accelerating chemical reactions. The molecules upon which enzymes may act are called substrates, and the enzyme converts the substrates into different molecules known as products. A ...
which is present in the connective tissue of most mammals.
In humans, the MMP-8
protein
Proteins are large biomolecules and macromolecules that comprise one or more long chains of amino acid residues. Proteins perform a vast array of functions within organisms, including catalysing metabolic reactions, DNA replication, respo ...
is encoded by the ''MMP8''
gene
In biology, the word gene (from , ; "...Wilhelm Johannsen coined the word gene to describe the Mendelian units of heredity..." meaning ''generation'' or ''birth'' or ''gender'') can have several different meanings. The Mendelian gene is a ba ...
.
The gene is part of a cluster of MMP genes which localize to chromosome 11q22.3.
Most MMP's are secreted as inactive proproteins which are activated when cleaved by extracellular proteinases. However, the enzyme encoded by this gene is stored in secondary granules within neutrophils and is activated by autolytic cleavage.
Function
Proteins of the
matrix metalloproteinase
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), also known as matrix metallopeptidases or matrixins, are metalloproteinases that are calcium-dependent zinc-containing endopeptidases; other family members are adamalysins, serralysins, and astacins. The MMPs b ...
(MMP) family are involved in the breakdown of
extracellular matrix
In biology, the extracellular matrix (ECM), also called intercellular matrix, is a three-dimensional network consisting of extracellular macromolecules and minerals, such as collagen, enzymes, glycoproteins and hydroxyapatite that provide stru ...
in normal physiological processes, such as embryonic development, reproduction, and tissue remodeling, as well as in disease processes, such as arthritis and metastasis. The primary function of MMP-8 is the degradation of type I, II and III collagens.
In cancer, loss of MMP-8 in the murine MMTV-PyMT breast cancer model has been associated with increased tumor growth and metastatic burden, as well as enhanced tumor vascularity and altered immune cell infiltration. Furthermore, analysis of MMP-8 in breast cancer cell lines revealed a causal connection between MMP-8 activity and IL6 and IL8 production, suggesting a role for MMP-8 in the regulation of the innate immune system.
References
Further reading
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External links
* The
MEROPS
MEROPS is an online database for peptidases (also known as proteases, proteinases and proteolytic enzymes) and their inhibitors. The classification scheme for peptidases was published by Rawlings & Barrett in 1993, and that for protein inhibitor ...
online database for peptidases and their inhibitors
M10.002
Matrix metalloproteinases
EC 3.4.24
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