Smokers and sunbathers display advance skin aging that is ch

Smokers and sunbathers display advance skin aging that is characterized by wrinkles, reduced resilience, and a leathery appearance. Exposure to UV light and chemicals in tobacco smoke increase the activity of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) enzymes in the skin that catalyze the degradation of proteins.

Explain why increased MMP activity would result in the above-mentioned skin characteristics. Your explanation should cover all aspects of relevant anatomy from a molecular to organ level of organization.

Solution

The Mettalo proteinase enzymes disintegrates collagen present in the skin and there by results in advance skin aging characterized by wrinkles, leathery appearance etc., The enzyme is stimulated and over produced in case of exposure to UV light and chemicals in tobacco smoke and hence there is an increased activity of the matrix metallo proteinase enzyme and the aging effects. There are several MMPs which acts on different types of collagen and other proteins present in the skin. Hence the youth ness, integrity of the skin is dependent on the activity of these enzymes.