Mmp21 - matrix metallopeptidase 21

This gene encodes a member of the matrix metalloproteinase family of extracellular matrix-degrading enzymes that are involved in tissue remodeling, wound repair, progression of atherosclerosis and tumor invasion. Mice harboring certain mutations in this gene exhibit congenital heart defects. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants encoding different isoforms. [provided by RefSeq, Feb 2016]