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Muscle cell migration and extracellular matrix remodeling are essential aspects of muscle development and regeneration. In this study, using a new technique to assess in vivo myoblast migration, we have confirmed previous results showing that the C₂C₁₂ myoblast cell line exhibits a higher migratory capacity than primary myoblasts. To test the hypothesis that matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are required for the migration of C₂C₁₂ myoblasts, we determined whether a synthetic metalloproteinase inhibitor, BB94 (Batimastat), inhibited this process in vivo. Pretreatment with BB94 for 3 days decreased the C₂C₁₂ migration at 2 days after cell injection. Since MMP expression is thus necessary for myoblast migration, we have undertaken the identification and characterization of the MMPs expressed by the C₂C₁₂ cell line. An RT–PCR assay was used to determine the pattern of MMP mRNA expression by the C₂C₁₂ …