Regulation of matrix metalloproteinase activity during zebrafish morphogenesis

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Living cells secrete a matrix of tough proteins which make up an extracellular matrix (ECM), and this matrix is what gives most tissues their mechanical properties.  In order for tissues to grow, heal, or otherwise change shape, cells must degrade the ECM using enzymes called Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs).  The objectives of this research proposal are to investigate how MMP activity is regulated during the embryonic development of the zebrafish embryo.  The zebrafish embryo is useful in this study, because, unlike the embryos of mice or other mammals, the fish embryo develops externally, rapidly and it is transparent, allowing us to more easily observe the effects of our experiments.  We have developed a novel technique that allows us to visualize the activity of the MMPs in the intact zebrafish embryo, and we are using this technique to better understand how ECM remodeling is regulated during embryonic development.  This understanding will provide us with some insight into how to treat pathologies arising from the mis-regulation of MMP activity, such as arthritis, heart disease, stroke, and cancer.