Title:ADAM Metalloproteinases as Potential Drug Targets
Volume: 26
Issue: 15
Author(s): Caterina Camodeca, Doretta Cuffaro, Elisa Nuti*Armando Rossello
Affiliation:
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, Pisa,Italy
Keywords:
Metalloendopeptidases, ectodomain shedding, adhesion molecules, hydroxamate inhibitors, zincbinding
group, small molecules.
Abstract: The ADAMs, together with ADAMTSs and snake venom metalloproteases
(SVMPs), are members of the Adamalysin family. Differences in structural organization,
functions and localization are known and their domains, catalytic or non-catalytic, show key
roles in the substrate recognition and protease activity. Some ADAMs, as membrane-bound
enzymes, show sheddase activity. Sheddases are key to modulation of functional proteins
such as the tumor necrosis factor, growth factors, cytokines and their receptors, adhesion
proteins, signaling molecules and stress molecules involved in immunity. These activities
take part in the regulation of several physiological and pathological processes including inflammation,
tumor growth, metastatic progression and infectious diseases. On these bases,
some ADAMs are currently investigated as drug targets to develop new alternative therapies
in many fields of medicine. This review will be focused on these aspects.