Matrix Metalloproteinase 13 (MMP13)

MMP-13 has been proposed to participate in aggrecan degradation associated with osteoarthritis and cleavage of type II collagen in osteoarthritic cartilage explants and in tumor progression and metastasis . In addition, it can cleave type I, III, IV, IX, X and XIV collagens and fibronectin. MMP-13 is likely to play a crucial role in the modulation of extracellular matrix degradation and cell-matrix interactions .MMP-13 is expressed by several metastatic tumors including breast carcinomas, chondrosarcomas, head and neck carcinomas, and in degenerative bone diseases including rheumatoid arthritis. Wild type and mutant p53, a tumor suppressor gene, differentially regulate MMP-13 gene expression . Members of the activator protein-1 and core-binding factor families increase MMP-13 promoter activity in normal, differentiating osteoblasts .