Abstract: Insects have formed developed metamorphosis and innate immunity system to adapt to the complex habitats during evolution. Some proteins produced in the process of metamorphosis and innate immunity in insects must be degraded in time, so that insects are capable of maintaining the homeostasis of development and immune responses. Matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) are Zn²⁺-dependent proteases. MMPs can degrade most proteins in the basement membrane and extracellular matrix, and also are involved in the regulations of metamorphosis and innate immunity in insects. They participate in tissue remolding and limitation of excessive immune responses through degradation of key extracellular matrix and peptide hormones. In this article, the functions of MMPs involved in regulation of metamorphosis and innate immunity were summarized, and the directions for further investigations were also discussed.

Key words: Insect, matrix metalloprotease, extracellular matrix, development, innate immunity