title: Therapeutic benefits from targeting of ADAM family members.
abstract: Members of the ADAM (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase) family of proteolytic enzymes are implicated in the processing of many single transmembrane-bound proteins ranging from cell surface receptors to growth factors and cytokines. Because of the biological significance of these processing events, a recurring theme in studying ADAM biology is that they are involved in physiological processes that can go awry and lead to disease states. This review provides a comprehensive look at ADAM family members and their role in pathology and provides a pathway for determining whether an enzyme is a physiological convertase for a given protein. In addition, ADAMs are discussed as potential therapeutic targets.
authors.affiliation: BioZyme Inc., 1513 Old White Oak Church Road, Apex, North Carolina 27523, USA. mmoss@biozyme-inc.com
authors.forename: Marcia L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Moss
authors.forename: Jörg W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Bartsch
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019483:Disintegrins / Q000378:metabolism*; D015195:Drug Design; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D045726:Metalloproteases / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D019483:Disintegrins; D006133:Growth Substances; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D045726:Metalloproteases