Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play a critically important role in extracellular matrix remodeling and have been implicated in a number of key normal and pathologic processes.These proteases have come to represent important therapeutic and diagnostic targets for the treatment and detection of human cancers. MMP-3 activate procollagenase via two pathways: slow direct activation and rapid activation in conjunction with tissue or plasma proteinases. The pro-MMP3 (60 kDa) and the active MMP3 (47 kDa) can be detected through western blot.