Analysis of Enzymatic Activity of Matrix Metalloproteinases by Collagen Zymography Utilizing Extracted Collagen from Bovine Muscle Tissue.

Collagen zymography is commonly used to detect the activity of collagenase matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). This method involves incorporating collagen from various sources as a substrate into a polyacrylamide gel as a component of sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The MMPs degrade the collagen in the gel under the right conditions with the presence of calcium and zinc. Here, this protocol describes the process of extracting collagen from bovine intramuscular connective tissue and incorporating it into a zymography gel for the detection of collagenase MMP activity.