Definition
A disintegrin and metalloprotease (ADAM) molecules share a common domain structure: a propeptide (prodomain), a metalloproteinase domain, a disintegrin domain, a cysteine-rich region, an epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like domain, a transmembrane region, and a cytoplasmatic domain (Fig. 1). Several ADAMs exist in both membrane-bound and secreted isoforms; the functional significance of this, in most cases, is still unclear. A subset of the presently known ADAM molecules shows catalytic activity. To date, at least 40 ADAMs have been identified in a variety of species. A large proportion (13 ADAMs) is exclusively expressed in the male reproductive system, and only a minority can be found throughout all tissues.
Domain structure of ADAMs. The ADAMs consist of a propeptide domain, a metalloprotease domain, a disintegrin domain, a...
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Seals DF, Courtneidge SA (2003) The ADAMs family of metalloproteases: multidomain proteins with multiple functions. Genes Dev 17:7–30
Gschwind A, Hart S, Fischer OM et al (2004) TACE cleavage of proamphiregulin regulates GPCR-induced proliferation and motility of cancer cells. EMBO J 22:2411–2421
Ringel J, Jesnowski R, Moniaux N et al (2006) Aberrant expression of a disintegrin and metalloproteinase 17/tumor necrosis factor-alpha converting enzyme increases the malignant potential in human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Cancer Res 66(18):9045–9053
Iba K, Albrechtsen R, Gilpin BJ et al (1999) Cysteine-rich domain of human ADAM 12 (meltrin a) supports tumor cell adhesion. Am J Pathol 54:1489–1501
Karan D, Lin FC, Bryan M et al (2003) Expression of ADAMs (a disintegrin and metalloproteases) and TIMP-3 (tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-3) in human prostatic adenocarcinomas. Int J Oncol 23:1365–1371
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2011 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
About this entry
Cite this entry
Ringel, J., Löhr, M. (2011). ADAM Molecules. In: Schwab, M. (eds) Encyclopedia of Cancer. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-16483-5_73
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-16483-5_73
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-642-16482-8
Online ISBN: 978-3-642-16483-5
eBook Packages: Biomedical and Life SciencesReference Module Biomedical and Life Sciences