MMP-3 polymorphism: Genetic marker in pathological processes (Review).

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of zinc-dependent endopeptidases that are collectively capable of cleaving virtually all extracellular matrix (ECM) substrates and play an important role in diverse physiological and pathological processes. The activity of MMPs is controlled at multiple levels, and the transcriptional regulation of MMPs appears to represent a necessary step in its regulation. MMP-3 is a key member of the MMP family with broad substrate specificity, and is crucial to the connective tissue remodeling process. It is also involved in the turnover of the numerous ECM components. A common functional promoter polymorphism of MMP-3, 5A/6A, affects its activity and has been associated with various diseases. This polymorphism may be used as a genetic marker for certain pathologies to identify individual susceptibility. This review discusses various topics related to MMP-3 in pathological processes, with a focus on the 5A/6A polymorphism.