BMP-1 AND THE ASTACIN FAMILY OF METALLOPROTEINASES - A POTENTIAL LINKBETWEEN THE EXTRACELLULAR-MATRIX, GROWTH-FACTORS AND PATTERN-FORMATION

Members of the astacin family of metalloproteinases such as human bone morphogenetic protein 1 (BMP-1) have previously been linked to cell d ifferentiation and pattern formation during development through a prop osed role in the activation of latent growth factors of the TGF-beta s uperfamily. Recent findings((1)) indicate that BMP-1 is identical to p ro-collagen C-proteinase, which is a metalloproteinase involved in ext racellular matrix (ECM) formation. This observation suggests that a fu nctional link may exist between astacin metalloproteinases, growth fac tors and cell differentiation and pattern formation during development . Taken together, current studies indicate that BMP-1 and possibly oth er astacin metalloproteinases are multifunctional enzymes that act dir ectly on growth factors and the ECM. In combination, these dual action s would have profound effects on developmental processes.