ABSTRACT
aAlso known as matrix metallopeptidases. A group (clan) of proteolytic enzymes which use zinc in the catalytic process. 294,295 Matrix metalloproteinases are expressed as precursors of zymogen forms which can be activated by a variety of processes. Activation by non-enzymatic mechanisms with oxidizing agents such as hypochlorite or cysteine modification with mercuric chloride is thought to be based on the disruption of interaction between a cysteine residue in the propeptide and a zinc ion at the active site 296,297 although other mechanisms have been suggested. 298,299 One of the mechanisms involves the activation of matrix metalloproteinases by hypochlorite. 90,300 Hypochlorite can also cause the inactivation of MMP-7 by modification of a tryptophan adjacent to a glycine residue resulting in a unique condensation product. 91
