Description
Matrix Metalloproteinase 13 (MMP-13) is involved in breaking down extracellular matrix proteins, such as fibrillar collagen, fibronectin, tenascin-C (TNC), and aggrecan (ACAN). It cleaves triple helical collagens-specifically type I, II, and III collagens-with the highest activity towards soluble type II collagen. MMP-13 can also degrade collagen types IV, XIV, and X and may act by activating or degrading crucial regulatory proteins like TGFB1 and CCN2. This enzyme is important in processes such as wound healing, tissue remodeling, cartilage degradation, bone development, bone mineralization, and ossification. In rabbits, it is encoded by the MMP13 gene