∞ generated and posted on 2016.03.18 ∞
Bacterial virulence factor capable of breaking down a portion of animal extracellular matrix.
Collagenase specifically (and, of course) breaks down the protein collagen. Less obviously, collagenase breaks down (which consists of collagen). Collagenase thus can also serve as a .
Note that collagenase is an extracellular enzyme, or . In pathogens such as various clostridia it thus can serve as an exotoxin involved in .