What is matrix metalloproteinase 3?
Matrix Metalloproteinase 3, also known as Straielysin-1, is an enzyme that helps degrade the extracellular matrix. Such degradations occur during normal operation, for example when the tissues are reorganized. They can also take place in response to the disease; For example, in tumor cell metastasis.
As other metaloproteinases of matrix (MMP), matric metaloproteinase 3 comes from the MMP cluster. It is coded by MMP3 gene. When this gene is expressed, the enzyme is actually excreted in inactive form. Once outside the cell, enzymes called proteases eliminate and activate part of the enzyme.
After activation, the matric metalloproteinase 3 has two main functions. It is able to decompose various matricy compounds, including several types of collagen, fibronectin, elastin and laminine. This enzyme also serves activation function for other MMP. Activation MMP-1, MMP-7 and MMP-9 are performed not proteases, but MMP-3 itself.
dual function of matric metalloproteinase 3 means that the sum is essentialPart of the restructuring of connective tissue. Under normal conditions, this enzyme is important when repairing wounds. However, at the time of illness, it may be responsible for continuing atherosclerosis and the movement of tumor cells.
evidence suggests that this enzyme also contributes to neurodegenerative brain disorders. MMP-3 release into extracellular matrix activates brain cells or "white matter". Microglie can induce programmed cell death, known as apoptosis, in neurons. Apoptosis is an aspect of many neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease, and scientists believe that the release of MMP-3 is the main signal that begins this process.
mutations in the MMP3 gene can lead to certain disease conditions. Some mutations can create thicker promoter genes and increase the amount of of matric metaloproteinase 3 produced by cells. Diseases such as acute myocardial infarction have been associated with excessive mm activityP-3. Mutations can also create less effective promoters. The MMP3 is connected to the cleft of the lips and cleft palate, as well as coronary atherosclerosis.
Answer for chemotherapy in cancer can also be predicted by mutations of the MMP3 gene. Patients with a form of cancer bearing two copies of the MMP3 gene encoding for a less efficient promoter tend to respond well to chemotherapy. Individuals with mixed copies or two copies encoding a more efficient promoter have not seen the same amount of improvement. These variable results can be caused by a more efficient promoter creating conditions that facilitate metastasis cell cells.