A STUDY ON THE CLINICAL RELEVANCE OF METALLOPROTEINASE INHIBITION

The Metzincins are a superfamily of zinc-dependent endopeptidases associated with the regulation of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Their members include A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase with Thrombospondin Motifs (ADAMTSs), A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinases (ADAMs), and the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Metzincins exhibit diverse functions associated with both physiological and pathological states that include the proteolytic degradation of the ECM, regulation of various growth factors, cell surface receptors, and chemokines, and mediation of biological functions such as extravasation, survival, and proliferation. In pathological conditions such as cancer associated with chronic inflammation and multiple sclerosis associated with neurodegeneration, dysregulation of Metzincin activities are a hallmark of disease progression and severity. Hence, Metzincins are therapeutic targets for various disease states and research into optimal Metzincin inhibitor design is an ongoing exploit.