Metalloproteinase

Peptidase_M48
Identifiers
SymbolPeptidase_M48
PfamPF01435
Pfam clanCL0126
InterProIPR001915
MEROPSM48
OPM superfamily394
OPM protein4aw6
Membranome317
Available protein structures:
Pfam  structures / ECOD  
PDBRCSB PDB; PDBe; PDBj
PDBsumstructure summary
Peptidase_M50
Identifiers
SymbolPeptidase_M50
PfamPF02163
Pfam clanCL0126
InterProIPR008915
MEROPSM50
OPM superfamily184
OPM protein3b4r
Available protein structures:
Pfam  structures / ECOD  
PDBRCSB PDB; PDBe; PDBj
PDBsumstructure summary

A metalloproteinase, or metalloprotease, is any protease enzyme whose catalytic mechanism involves a metal. An example is ADAM12 which plays a significant role in the fusion of muscle cells during embryo development, in a process known as myogenesis.

Most metalloproteases require zinc, but some use cobalt. The metal ion is coordinated to the protein via three ligands. The ligands coordinating the metal ion can vary with histidine, glutamate, aspartate, lysine, and arginine.[clarification needed] The fourth coordination position is taken up by a labile water molecule.

Treatment with chelating agents such as EDTA leads to complete inactivation. EDTA is a metal chelator that removes zinc, which is essential for activity. They are also inhibited by the chelator orthophenanthroline.