TIMP1

TIMP metallopeptidase inhibitor 1, also known as TIMP1, a is_associated_with::tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases, is a glycoprotein that is expressed from the several tissues of organisms.

This protein is a member of the is_associated_with::TIMP family. The is_associated_with::glycoprotein is a natural inhibitor of the is_associated_with::matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), a group of peptidases involved in degradation of the is_associated_with::extracellular matrix. In addition to its inhibitory role against most of the known MMPs, the encoded protein is able to promote cell proliferation in a wide range of cell types, and may also have an anti-apoptotic function.

Other names

 * Erythroid potentiating activity (EPA)
 * Human collagenase inhibitor (HCI)

Regulation of TIMP expression
Transcription of this is_associated_with::gene is highly inducible in response to many is_associated_with::cytokines and is_associated_with::hormones. In addition, the expression from some but not all inactive is_associated_with::X chromosomes suggests that this gene inactivation is polymorphic in is_associated_with::human is_associated_with::females. This gene is located within intron 6 of the is_associated_with::synapsin I gene and is transcribed in the opposite direction.

In adrenocortical cells the trophic hormone ACTH induces expression of TIMP-1 and the increase in TIMP expression is also associated with decreased collagenase activity.

Increased expression of TIMP1 has been found to be associated with worse prognosis of various tumors, such as is_associated_with::laryngeal carcinoma or is_associated_with::melanoma.