The protein encoded by this gene is a homodimeric integral membrane gelatinase belonging to the serine protease family. It is selectively expressed in reactive stromal fibroblasts of epithelial cancers, granulation tissue of healing wounds, and malignant cells of bone and soft tissue sarcomas. This protein is thought to be involved in the control of fibroblast growth or epithelial-mesenchymal interactions during development, tissue repair, and epithelial carcinogenesis. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found for this gene. [provided by RefSeq, Apr 2014],catalytic activity:Degrades gelatin and heat-denatured type I and type IV collagen, but not native type I or type IV collagen. Does not cleave laminin, fibronectin, fibrin or casein.,function:May have a role in tissue remodeling during development and wound healing, and may contribute to invasiveness in malignant cancers.,induction:In fibroblasts at times and sites of tissue remodeling during development, tissue repair, and carcinogenesis.,PTM:N-glycosylated.,PTM:The N-terminus may be blocked.,similarity:Belongs to the peptidase S9B family.,subcellular location:Found in cell surface lamellipodia, invadopodia and on shed vesicles.,subunit:Homodimer, or heterodimer with DPP4. The monomer is inactive.,tissue specificity:Fibroblast specific.,
