MMP21 polyclonal antibody

The matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of peptidase enzymes responsible for the degradation of extracellular matrix components, including collagen, gelatin, fibronectin, laminin and proteoglycan. Transcription of MMP genes is differentially activated by phorbol ester, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB). MMP catalysis requires both calcium and zinc. MMP-21 is 569 amino acid residues in length and consists of a prodomain, catalytic domain, and haemopexin-like domain. It is the human orthologue for XMMP in X. laevis and CyMMP in C. pyrrhogaster. MMP-21 is expressed in various fetal and adult tissues. It a possible target gene of the Wnt pathway, and the expression of this protein is controlled by Pax and Notch transcription factors. MMP-21 may play an important role in embryogenesis, tissue development (particularly in the brain), tumor progression and possibly apoptosis.