基質金屬蛋白酶（MMP）家族的蛋白質參與正常生理過程中細胞外基質的分解，如胚胎發育、生殖和組織重塑，以及疾病過程中，如關節炎和轉移。大多數基質金屬蛋白酶以非活性前蛋白的形式分泌，當被細胞外蛋白酶分裂時被激活。該基因編碼的酶降解IV型和V型膠原。對恒河猴的研究表明，這種酶參與了IL-8誘導的骨髓造血祖細胞動員，而小鼠的研究表明，這種酶在腫瘤相關組織重塑中發揮了作用。
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.