基质金属蛋白酶（MMP）家族的蛋白质参与正常生理过程中细胞外基质的分解，如胚胎发育、生殖和组织重塑，以及疾病过程，如关节炎和转移大多数基质金属蛋白酶是以非活性的前蛋白形式分泌的，当被细胞外蛋白酶切割时被激活。该基因编码一种降解纤维粘连蛋白、层粘连蛋白、胶原III、IV、IX和X以及软骨蛋白聚糖的酶。这种酶被认为与伤口修复、动脉粥样硬化的进展和肿瘤的发生有关。该基因是定位于染色体11q22.3的mmp基因簇的一部分。[由RefSeq提供，2008年7月]
Proteins of the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family are involved in the breakdown of extracellular matrix in normal physiological processes, such as embryonic development, reproduction, and tissue remodeling, as well as in disease processes, such as arthritis and metastasis. Most MMP's are secreted as inactive proproteins which are activated when cleaved by extracellular proteinases. This gene encodes an enzyme which degrades fibronectin, laminin, collagens III, IV, IX, and X, and cartilage proteoglycans. The enzyme is thought to be involved in wound repair, progression of atherosclerosis, and tumor initiation. The gene is part of a cluster of MMP genes which localize to chromosome 11q22.3. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]