Expression of soluble and functional full-length human matrix metalloproteinase-2 in Escherichia coli

► Matrix metalloproteinase-2 is a proteinase that cleaves connective tissue components. ► The expression and purification of the full-length MMP-2 from the Escherichia coli. cytoplasm is reported. ► Functional assays confirmed high activity. ► The method described has advantages in comparison to expression in eukaryotic systems.