We describe here the expression of a C-terminally truncated form of human procollagenase-3 in Escherichia coli. The protein was found almost exclusively in inclusion bodies that were solubilized and refolded by two separate methods and then purified on Ni-NTA agarose. The purified proenzyme could be activated with either trypsin or APMA and active enzyme could be purified on a peptidic hydroxamate affinity column. Competitive elution from the affinity matrix yielded a highly purified preparation.