基质金属蛋白酶（MMP）家族的蛋白质参与正常生理过程中细胞外基质的分解，如胚胎发育、生殖和组织重塑，以及疾病过程中，如关节炎和转移。大多数基质金属蛋白酶以非活性前蛋白的形式分泌，当被细胞外蛋白酶分裂时被激活。该基因编码的酶降解IV型和V型胶原。对恒河猴的研究表明，这种酶参与了IL-8诱导的骨髓造血祖细胞动员，而小鼠的研究表明，这种酶在肿瘤相关组织重塑中发挥了作用。
Proteins of the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family are involved in the breakdown of extracellular matrix in normal physiological processes, such as embryonic development, reproduction, and tissue remodeling, as well as in disease processes, such as arthritis and metastasis. Most MMP's are secreted as inactive proproteins which are activated when cleaved by extracellular proteinases. The enzyme encoded by this gene degrades type IV and V collagens. Studies in rhesus monkeys suggest that the enzyme is involved in IL-8-induced mobilization of hematopoietic progenitor cells from bone marrow, and murine studies suggest a role in tumor-associated tissue remodeling.