Matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor-1 (TIMP-1) is a glycoprotein expressed in various tissues of the organism and is a member of the TIMP family. TIMP-1 is a natural inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), a group of peptidases involved in extracellular matrix degradation. In addition to inhibiting most known MMPs, TIMP-1 promotes cell reproduction in a variety of cell types and may also have anti-apoptotic effects. Responses to many cytokines and hormones strongly induce transcription of this gene. Studies have shown that TIMP-1 gene inactivation in human females is polymorphic. ACTH induced the expression of TIMP-1 in adrenal cortical cells, and the increase of TIMP expression was related to the decrease of collagenase activity. In addition, increased TIMP-1 expression is associated with poorer prognosis for a variety of tumors such as laryngeal cancer or melanoma.