Matrix metalloproteinase 28 also known as epilysin is an

enzyme An enzyme () is a protein that acts as a biological catalyst by accelerating chemical reactions. The molecules upon which enzymes may act are called substrate (chemistry), substrates, and the enzyme converts the substrates into different mol ...

that in humans is encoded by the ''MMP28''

gene In biology, the word gene has two meanings. The Mendelian gene is a basic unit of heredity. The molecular gene is a sequence of nucleotides in DNA that is transcribed to produce a functional RNA. There are two types of molecular genes: protei ...

Function

Matrix metalloproteinase 28, also known as epilysin, belongs to a family of proteins known as matrix metalloproteinases which are common to tissue regulation. Matrix metalloproteinases are commonly known to degrade the extracellular matrix, alongside regulating cell surface receptors MMP-28 releases growth factors and adhesion molecules to modulate inflammation. MMP-28 is unique in that it can be found in many regular tissues, denoting a potential role in maintaining the healthy structure and function of most tissue. MMPs commonly modulate their expression via negative and positive feedback loops as a result of releasing and responding to growth hormones. MMP-28 is less frequently found in tissues such as the brain, colon, heart, and lungs. However, MMP-28 is expressed heavily in organs such as the testes. Epilysin is also found in high concentration in basal keratinocytes in injured skin, even at some distance away from the wound, showing a role in repairing damaged tissue. MMP-28 also can alter the cell membrane to become more adhesive, and not allowing the cell to migrate.

Structure

MMP-28 is a 520 amino acid long protein. The estimated signal peptide sequence appears as a long tail of random coil coming off of the protein that helps to guide the protein to excretion with the sequence PRCGVTD. The zinc binding catalytic site is tucked within an alpha helix within the center of the protein with a HEIGHTLGLTH sequence at positions 240–250 with a hemopexin-like domain. Epilysin contains 8 exons, 5 of which are splice sites unique to MMP-28 and not used by any other metalloproteinase in the MMP family. Epilysin contains 8 exons, 5 of which are splice sites unique to MMP-28 and not used by any other metalloproteinase in the MMP family. The full amino acid sequence is listed on uniprot.

Clinical implications

The overexpression of MMP-28 is linked to the metastasis of tumors in cancer. Expression of MMP-28 can be linked to tumor diameter, depth of invasion, and stage of metastasis. In patients with positive overexpression of MMP-28, survival may be significantly less likely compared to negative expression of this protein, making it a potentially important marker for proactive prognosis of some forms of cancer. MMP-28 may also play an important role in the breakdown of

myelin Myelin Sheath ( ) is a lipid-rich material that in most vertebrates surrounds the axons of neurons to insulate them and increase the rate at which electrical impulses (called action potentials) pass along the axon. The myelinated axon can be lik ...

, an important component of nervous system functionality.

Demyelination A demyelinating disease refers to any disease affecting the nervous system where the myelin sheath surrounding neurons is damaged. This damage disrupts the transmission of signals through the affected nerves, resulting in a decrease in their con ...

may interrupt nerve signaling or even halt it completely, which can create severe neurological effects such as multiple sclerosis

transverse myelitis Transverse myelitis (TM) is a rare neurological condition wherein the spinal cord is Inflammation, inflamed. The adjective ''wikt:transverse#Adjective, transverse'' implies that the spinal inflammation (myelitis) extends horizontally throughout ...

and

neuromyelitis optica Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) are a spectrum of autoimmune diseases characterized by acute inflammation of the optic nerve (optic neuritis, ON) and the spinal cord ( myelitis).Banerjee S, Butcher R. Rituximab for the Treatment o ...

References

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 inhibito ...

online database for peptidases and their inhibitors
M10.030
{{Metalloendopeptidases Matrix metalloproteinases

Function

Structure

Clinical implications

References

Further reading

External links