ADAMs (short for a disintegrin and metalloproteinase) are a family of single-pass transmembrane and secreted metalloendopeptidases.[1][2] All ADAMs are characterized by a particular domain organization featuring a pro-domain, a metalloprotease, a disintegrin, a cysteine-rich, an epidermal-growth factor like and a transmembrane domain, as well as a C-terminal cytoplasmic tail.[3] Nonetheless, not all human ADAMs have a functional protease domain, which indicates that their biological function mainly depends on protein–protein interactions.[4] Those ADAMs which are active proteases are classified as sheddases because they cut off or shed extracellular portions of transmembrane proteins.[4] For example, ADAM10 can cut off part of the HER2 receptor, thereby activating it.[5] ADAM genes are found in animals, choanoflagellates, fungi and some groups of green algae. Most green algae and all land plants likely lost ADAM proteins.[6]
ADAMs are categorized under the EC3.4.24.46 enzyme group, and in the MEROPS peptidase family M12B.[3] The terms adamalysin and MDC family (metalloproteinase-like, disintegrin-like, cysteine rich) have been used to refer to this family historically.[7]
ADAM1 (fertilin α) is a subunit of an integral sperm membrane heterodimeric glycoprotein called fertilin, which plays an important role in sperm-egg interactions.
ADAM2 (fertilin β) is a subunit of an integral sperm membrane heterodimeric glycoprotein called fertilin, which plays an important role in sperm-egg interactions.[8]
ADAM7 is a transmembrane protein important for the maturation of sperm cells in mammals. ADAM7 is also denoted as: ADAM_7, ADAM-7, EAPI, GP-83, and GP83.[9]
The ADAM9 protein encoded by this gene interacts with SH3 domain-containing proteins, binds mitotic arrest deficient 2 beta protein, and is also involved in TPA-induced ectodomain shedding of membrane-anchored heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor.[11]
The ADAM11 gene represents a candidate tumor suppressor gene for human breast cancer based on its location within a minimal region of chromosome 17q21 previously defined by tumor deletion mapping.[13]
Through its disintegrin-like domain, this protein specifically interacts with the integrin beta chain, beta 3. It also interacts with Src family protein–tyrosine kinases in a phosphorylation-dependent manner, suggesting that this protein may function in cell-cell adhesion as well as in cellular signaling.[15]
This member is a type I transmembrane protein and serves as a marker for dendritic cell differentiation. It has also been demonstrated to be an active metalloproteinase, which may be involved in normal physiological and pathological processes such as cells migration, cell adhesion, cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions, and signal transduction.[18]
