ADAM (a disintegrin and metalloprotease) proteins are a family of over 30 membrane-anchored, glycosylated, Zn2+ dependent proteases that are involved in cell-cell, cell-matrix interface related processes including fertilization, muscle fusion, secretion of TNFα (tumor necrosis factor α), and modulation of the neurogenic function of Notch and Delta. ADAM proteins possess a signal-domain, a pro-domain, a metalloprotease domain, a disintegrin domain (integrin ligand) a cysteine-rich region, an epidermal growth factor-like domain, a transmembrane domain and a cytoplasmic tail. ADAMs are expressed in brain, testis, epididymis, ovary, breast, placenta, liver, heart, lung, bone and muscle, and catalyze proteolysis, adhesion, fusion and intracellular signaling. ADAM10 is a TNF-processing enzyme that cleaves pro-TNF, a membrane-bound precusor protein, at Ala 76-Val 77, which causes membrane shedding of soluble TNF.
