Identification of peptide inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinase 1 using an in-house assay system for the enzyme.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are zinc-dependent proteases involved in the degradation of extracellular matrix proteins. As one of the isoforms, MMP-1 breaks down collagen, and its activity is known to be important in wound healing. Its timely and adequate level of expression is pivotal because MMP-1 is also involved in the damage or aging of skins as well as in certain types of cancers.