Mmp7 - matrix metallopeptidase 7

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. The encoded preproprotein undergoes proteolytic processing to generate a mature, zinc-dependent endopeptidase enzyme. Mice lacking the encoded protein are deficient in functional cryptdins. This gene is located in a cluster of other matrix metalloproteinase genes on chromosome 9. [provided by RefSeq, Feb 2016]