ABSTRACT
Proteolysis is an active process in the interstitial space. Activities range from digestive, as in the remodeling of tissues by the various matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), to regulatory, as demonstrated in the action of enzymes such as thrombin, hepsin, and matriptase in the control of physiological processes. The activity of these various enzymes is controlled by the expression of activity, such as the surface expression of MMP-14 and other membrane-type matrix metalloproteinases (MT-MMPs), by the conversion of zymogen forms into active enzymes, such as the activation of prostasin by matriptase, and by inactivation with protein proteinase inhibitors, such as serine proteinase inhibitors (serpins).
