Description
Product Characteristics: TIMP-1, TIMP-2, TIMP-3 and TIMP-4 (for tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases -1, -2, -3 and -4) complex with metalloproteinases such as collagenases, gelatinases and stromelysins, resulting in irreversible inactivation of the metalloproteinase. TIMP-1 is identical to EPA (erythroid-potentiation activity). PTH has been shown to be a regulator of TIMP-2 in osteoblastic cells. TIMP-3 may be involved in regulating trophoblastic invasion of the uterus as well as in regulating remodeling of the extracellular matrix during the folding of epithelia, and in the formation, branching and expansion of epithelial tubes. TIMP-4 is most highly expressed in heart tissues. Studies have demonstrated that TIMP1 is useful as a biomarker for early detection of colorectal cancer, outperforming CEA. Additionally, TIMP1 studies have demonstrated its role in CRC tumorigenesis, as well as observing its overexpression in metastatic lymph nodes.
Target Information: This gene belongs to the TIMP gene family. The proteins encoded by this gene family are natural inhibitors of the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), a group of peptidases involved in degradation of the extracellular matrix. In addition to its inhibitory role against most of the known MMPs, the encoded protein is able to promote cell proliferation in a wide range of cell types, and may also have an anti-apoptotic function. Transcription of this gene is highly inducible in response to many cytokines and hormones. In addition, the expression from some but not all inactive X chromosomes suggests that this gene inactivation is polymorphic in human females. This gene is located within intron 6 of the synapsin I gene and is transcribed in the opposite direction. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]