# Mmp2 regulates basement membrane remodeling and dedifferentiation of the visceral musculature during Drosophila metamorphosis

## TL;DR

This study shows that Mmp2 helps reshape the basement membrane and allows muscle cells to change during fruit fly metamorphosis.

## Contribution

The study identifies Mmp2 as a key regulator of basement membrane remodeling during Drosophila metamorphosis.

## Key findings

- Mmp2 is localized during basement membrane degradation and is required for breaking down its main components.
- Mmp2 is essential for survival and proper tissue transformation during metamorphosis.
- Mmp2-mediated basement membrane remodeling is necessary for muscle dedifferentiation.

## Abstract

The basement membrane (BM) is a specialized extracellular matrix that surrounds most tissues and organs. Remodeling of the BM is critical for morphogenesis and to control tissue homeostasis. During Drosophila metamorphosis, most tissues undergo apoptosis and become histolyzed to be replaced by progenitor cells to generate adult structures, but the visceral musculature trans-differentiates to give rise to new adult muscles. The molecular mechanisms of the BM remodeling during this extensive tissue reorganization are poorly understood. Here, we identified Matrix metalloprotease 2 (Mmp2) as a key regulator of BM remodeling in visceral musculature. We find that Mmp2 is localized when the BM is degraded and that Mmp2 is required for degradation of the major BM components. In addition, Mmp2 is important for survival and tissue metamorphosis. Our results suggests that Mmp2-mediated BM remodeling is a prerequisite for metamorphosis and visceral muscle dedifferentiation.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1038/s41598-026-41763-1.