The imminent completion of the human and mouse genome projects will reveal all metalloproteases and metalloprotease inhibitors such as those belonging to the MMP, TIMP, ADAM, and ADAMTS (1 ) families. At the present time, there are over 65 published genes in these families and it is very likely that their total number will be much higher. Considerable effort will subsequently be required to undertake a systematic examination of the expression, function, and regulation of these genes.
