Murine tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-4 (Timp-4): cDNA isolation and expression in adult mouse tissues.

We have isolated cDNA clones corresponding to a new member of the murine tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP) family, designated Timp-4. The nucleotide sequence predicts a protein of 22,609 Da that contains the characteristic 12 cysteine TIMP signature. TIMP-4 is more closely related to TIMP-2 and TIMP-3 than to TIMP-1 (48%, 45% and 38% identity, respectively). Analysis of Timp-4 mRNA expression in adult mouse tissues indicated a 1.2 kb transcript in brain, heart, ovary and skeletal muscle. This pattern of expression distinguishes Timp-4 from other Timps, suggesting that the TIMP-4 protein may be an important tissue-specific regulator of extracellular matrix remodelling.