The matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) are a family of peptidase enzymes responsible for the degradation of extracellular matrix components, including collagen, gelatin, fibronectin, laminin and proteoglycan. The human MMP-24 (also known as MT-MMP5 or MT5-MMP) gene maps to chromosome 20q11.2, a region frequently amplified in tumors. MMP-24 is also expressed at high levels in brain tumors compared to normal brain tissue.