Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 19, 2026

Reconstitution of Msp1 Extraction Activity with Fully Purified Components
05:52

Reconstitution of Msp1 Extraction Activity with Fully Purified Components

Published on: August 10, 2021

Site-specific cellular functions of MT1-MMP

Agnieszka Koziol1, Mara Martín-Alonso, Cristina Clemente

  • 1Vascular Biology and Inflammation Department, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares, Madrid, Spain.

European Journal of Cell Biology
|September 4, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Matrix metalloproteinase MT1-MMP (membrane-anchored) has dual roles. It modifies the extracellular environment and impacts macrophage intracellular functions like motility and gene transcription.

Area of Science:

  • Cellular Biology
  • Biochemistry
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Cellular responses to environmental cues, like inflammation, require coordinated functions.
  • Proteins spanning the plasma membrane facilitate communication between extracellular and intracellular environments.
  • Membrane-anchored matrix metalloproteinase MT1-MMP (MMP-1) is known for extracellular matrix modification.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the site-specific intracellular functions of MT1-MMP in macrophages.
  • To explore the evolutionary diversification of MT1-MMP's protein function.
  • To comment on the potential conservation of these functions in endothelial cells.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent findings on MT1-MMP localization and function.
  • Analysis of MT1-MMP's impact on macrophage motility, metabolism, and gene transcription.
  • Comparative discussion of MT1-MMP functions in macrophages and endothelial cells.

Main Results:

  • MT1-MMP exhibits unexpected intracellular roles in macrophages, localized to the plasma membrane, Golgi, and nucleus.
  • These intracellular functions influence macrophage cell motility, metabolism, and gene transcription.
  • MT1-MMP exemplifies protein functional diversification for coordinating extracellular stimuli and cellular responses.

Conclusions:

  • MT1-MMP plays crucial intracellular roles in macrophages beyond its extracellular functions.
  • These findings highlight the adaptability of protein function in response to environmental stimuli.
  • Further research is needed to determine if these MT1-MMP functions are conserved in other inflammation-responsive cells, such as endothelial cells.

More Related Videos

An Improved Method to Isolate Mitochondrial Contact Sites07:55

An Improved Method to Isolate Mitochondrial Contact Sites

Published on: June 16, 2023

Experimental Approaches to Study Mitochondrial Localization and Function of a Nuclear Cell Cycle Kinase, Cdk113:15

Experimental Approaches to Study Mitochondrial Localization and Function of a Nuclear Cell Cycle Kinase, Cdk1

Published on: February 25, 2016

Related Concept Videos

The Inner Mitochondrial Membrane01:28

The Inner Mitochondrial Membrane

The inner mitochondrial membrane is the primary site of ATP synthesis. The inner membrane domain that forms a smooth layer adjacent to the outer membrane is called the inner boundary membrane. This domain contains membrane transporters that drive metabolites in and out of the mitochondria.  In contrast, the inner membrane network that invaginates into the matrix space is called the cristae membrane. This domain accounts for principle mitochondrial function as it accommodates the protein...
Mitochondrial Membranes01:45

Mitochondrial Membranes

A single mitochondrion is a bean-shaped organelle enclosed by a double-membrane system. The outer membrane of mitochondria is smooth and contains many porins - the integral membrane transporters. Porins enable free diffusion of ions and small uncharged molecules through the outer mitochondrial membrane but limit the transport of molecules larger than 5000 Daltons. Further, the outer mitochondrial membrane forms a unique structure called membrane contact sites with other subcellular organelles,...
Translocation of Proteins into the Mitochondria01:19

Translocation of Proteins into the Mitochondria

Mitochondrial precursors are translocated to the internal subcompartments via independent mechanisms involving distinct protein machineries called translocases.
Sorting of outer membrane proteins:
Mitochondrial outer membrane proteins are of two types: the transmembrane, beta-barrel porins, and the membrane-anchored, alpha-helical proteins. Beta-barrel porin precursors are translocated by the TOM complex and inserted into the outer mitochondrial membrane by the SAM complex. In contrast,...
Role of Matrix Metalloproteases in Degradation of ECM01:23

Role of Matrix Metalloproteases in Degradation of ECM

Matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) are enzymes involved in the hydrolysis of proteins and glycoproteins of the extracellular matrix. MMPs are essential for the migration and proliferation of cells through the dense matrix network, throughout embryonic development, and throughout morphogenesis. The first MMP activity discovered was a collagenase in a tadpole's tail undergoing metamorphosis. The active collagen deposition and modifications lead to the morphogenesis of tadpoles into the adult body.
A...
Mitochondria01:37

Mitochondria

Mitochondria are eukaryotic cellular organelles that are known to produce energy through a process called oxidative phosphorylation. Besides their primary function, mitochondria are involved in various cellular processes, including cell growth, differentiation, signaling, metabolism, and senescence. Age-related changes cause a decline in mitochondrial quality and integrity due to increased mitochondrial mutations and oxidative damage. Thus, aging can severely impact mitochondrial functions,...
Mitochondrial Protein Sorting01:39

Mitochondrial Protein Sorting

Mitochondria are double-membrane organelles of the eukaryotes involved in cellular metabolism, signaling, ATP synthesis, and programmed cell death.  Each of these processes requires specific proteins and enzymes that must be correctly sorted to the right mitochondrial subcompartment for the proper functioning of the organelle.
Most of these mitochondrial proteins are encoded by the nucleus and imported to the mitochondria as unfolded or loosely folded precursors. Mitochondrial precursors...