Figure 1.

Classification of the metzincins based on their structure and function. Typical for metzincins is their signal peptide, the prodomain, the catalytic domain containing the zinc motif, followed by the linker (hinge) region. Membrane-associated metalloproteinases typically harbor a transmembrane and cytosolic domain, lacking in the secreted family members. Depending on their mode of activation, several metalloproteinases have a furin recognition sequence. Distinctive for many MMPs is the hemopexin (PEX) domain, which facilitates substrate specificity and TIMP interaction.