Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs, 1 matrixins) are believed to participate in angiogenesis, embryonic development, morphogenesis, reproduction, tissue resorption and remodeling, and tumor growth, progression, invasion, and metastasis through breakdown of the extracellular matrix, cell surface proteins, and processing growth factors, cytokines, and chemokines (1-3). Recently, human MMP-26 (endometase/matrilysin 2) was identified and its mRNA expression was detected in normal tissues of the human uterus and placenta, and in many types of malignant tumors (4 -7). Characterization of the MMP-26 promoter suggests that this proteinase may be expressed in cancer cells of epithelial origin (8). MMP-26 may play an important role in human prostate and breast cancer invasion (9 -10).MMP-26 cleaves type I gelatin, ␣ 1 -proteinase inhibitor, fibrinogen, fibronectin, vitronectin, type IV collagen, and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (4, 7, 11). Studies of MMP-26 indicate that it has substrate specificity similar to other MMPs, with the exception of a preference for Ile at the P 2 and P 2 Ј positions, for small residues at the P 3 Ј and P 4 Ј positions, and Lys at the P 4 position (11). MMP-26 also hydrolyzes several synthetic fluorogenic peptide substrates designed for stromelysin-1, gelatinases, collagenases, and tumor necrosis factor-␣ converting enzyme (4, 11). According to these peptide substrate studies, MMP-26 may be capable of cleaving a broad range of substrates, although it has less catalytic efficiency than other MMPs.X-ray crystal structures of MMPs illustrate that overall topology and secondary structures are conserved (12-18). The S 1 Ј pocket, a hydrophobic pocket of variable depth, is a well defined substrate P 1 Ј-binding site in MMPs. Three types of S 1 Ј pockets can be distinguished from the available structures of . One type is a shallow pocket, as found in MMP-1 (human fibroblast collagenase; 13) and 16), where the pockets are limited by the side chains of Arg and Tyr, respectively, crossing the pockets. Many of the structurally known MMPs possess Leu at the corresponding site, and its side chain forms the top of the pocket rather than crossing the pocket. These Leu-containing MMPs may be further classified as deep and intermediate S 1 Ј pocket MMPs. A deep, tunnel-like pocket is found in MMP-3 (stromelysin-1; 12), MMP-12 (metalloelastase; 17), and MMP-14 (MT1-MMP; 21), whereas MMP-2 (gelatinase A; 22), MMP-8 (human neutrophil collagenase; 15), and MMP-9 (gelatinase B; 23) possess an intermedi-