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Updated: Apr 18, 2026

Author Spotlight: Accelerating Discovery in Microporous Material Chemistry
Published on: October 6, 2023
Phosphonate Emerging Zinc Binding Group in Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors
Cristina Campestre, Mariangela Agamennone, Marilena Tauro
1Dipartimento di Farmacia- Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi "Aldo Moro" di Bari, via Orabona 4, 70126 Bari, Italy. paolo.tortorella@uniba.it.
Abstract:
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are zinc-dependent endopeptidases, capable to degrade the extracellular matrix (ECM) in physiologic conditions. Because of their overexpression and pivotal role in many pathological events, they have been proposed as a therapeutic and prognostic target for a number of diseases. Selectivity among MMPs is essential for realizing the clinical potential of inhibitors. The design of MMP inhibitors (MMPIs) has largely focused on development of various compounds containing a zinc binding group (ZBG) in their structure, with hydroxamate being the most potent one. Due to the high degree of homology in the catalytic domain of all the MMPs, the specificity and selectivity of first generation hydroxamate MMPIs were minimal, with several off-target effects and binding to other metzincins. This review highlights the role of phosphonate as ZBG in the design and development of new MMPIs.
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