Matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) fluorometric drug discovery kit, RED

The MMP-3 Fluorometric (also known as fluorimetric) Drug Discovery Kit, RED is a complete assay system designed to screen MMP-3 inhibitors using a quenched fluorogenic substrate OMNIMMP^® RED: TQ3-GABA-Pro-Cha-Abu-Smc-His-Ala-Dab(6-TAMRA)-Ala-Lys-NH₂ [TQ3=quencher; GABA=4-aminobutyric acid; Cha=L-cyclohexylalanine; Abu=2-aminobutyric acid; Smc=S-methyl-L-cysteine; Dab=2,4-diaminobutyric acid; 6-TAMRA=6-tetramethylrhodamine]. TAMRA fluorescence is thoroughly quenched by the TQ3 group until cleavage by MMPs separates the two moieties. 

The assays are performed in a convenient 96-well microplate format. The kit is useful to screen inhibitors of MMP-3, a potential therapeutic target. The compound NNGH is also included as a prototypic control inhibitor.

Matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3, stromelysin-1, transin-1) is a member of the MMP family of extracellular proteases.  These enzymes play a role in many normal and disease states by virtue of their broad substrate specificities. Targets of MMP-3 include collagens, fibronectin, and laminin, plasminogen, HB-EGF, E-cadherin, and other MMPs. MMP-3 is secreted as a 55-59kDa glycosylated proenzyme (measured by SDS-PAGE), and activated by cleavage to forms of 21-48kDa.  It is unique from other MMPs in that its pH optimum is 5.9, rather than around 7.0.