这个基因属于timp基因家族。这个基因家族编码的蛋白质是基质金属蛋白酶(MMPS)的天然抑制剂,基质金属蛋白酶是一组参与细胞外基质降解的肽酶。除了其对大多数已知MMP的抑制作用外,编码蛋白还能够在多种细胞类型中促进细胞增殖,并可能具有抗凋亡功能。这种基因的转录对许多细胞因子和激素具有高度的诱导作用。此外,一些但不是所有不活跃的X染色体的表达表明,这种基因失活在人类女性中是多态的。该基因位于突触蛋白I基因的内含子6内,并以相反的方向转录。
This gene belongs to the TIMP gene family. The proteins encoded by this gene family are natural inhibitors of the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), a group of peptidases involved in degradation of the 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. Transcription of this gene is highly inducible in response to many cytokines and hormones. In addition, the expression from some but not all inactive X chromosomes suggests that this gene inactivation is polymorphic in human females. This gene is located within intron 6 of the synapsin I gene and is transcribed in the opposite direction.