Genetic testing for a predisposition to the ruptures and sprains of ligaments and tendons
The MMP3 gene’s product plays an important role in the regulatory mechanisms maintaining extracellular matrix homeostasis; it encodes an enzyme catalytically breaking down the collagen and proteoglycan of cartilage tissue. In the G/G genotype carriers, a gene expression is reduced, which contributes to a 2.5-fold increase in the risk of tendon ruptures. With the simultaneous presence of MMP3 G/G and COL5A1 T/T genotypes, the risk of ruptures and sprains of ligaments and tendons increases many times over.