MMP-26

MMP-26 (matrilysin-2, endometase) is an epithelium-specific matrixin that, like matrilysin/MMP-7, lacks the C-terminal hemopexin domain, and it is among the smallest members of the family. Expression is prominent in endometrium and placenta and in hormone-responsive carcinomas of breast, prostate and endometrium, under transcriptional control of estrogen and progesterone signaling. Notably, MMP-26 appears in preinvasive stages such as ductal carcinoma in situ, and its levels decline during tumor progression, suggesting a role in early neoplastic transformation rather than in late invasion. Reported activities include cleavage of basement-membrane components and activation of downstream matrixin cascades, and the enzyme is explored as an early-marker candidate in gynecologic oncology.