Metalloproteinase with a rather broad substrate specificity that can degrade fibronectin, laminin, gelatins of type I, III, IV, and V; collagens III, IV, X, and IX, and cartilage proteoglycans. Activates different molecules including growth factors, plasminogen or other matrix metalloproteinases such as MMP9. Once released into the extracellular matrix (ECM), the inactive pro-enzyme is activated by the plasmin cascade signaling pathway. For example, in dopaminergic neurons, gets activated by the serine protease HTRA2 upon stress and plays a pivotal role in DA neuronal degeneration by mediating microglial activation and alpha-synuclein/SNCA cleavage. In addition, plays a role in immune response and possesses antiviral activity against various viruses such as vesicular stomatitis virus, influenza A virus (H1N1) and human herpes virus 1. Mechanistically, translocates from the cytoplasm into the cell nucleus upon virus infection to influence NF-kappa-B activities.