ADAM28

1. ADAM28

ADAM28, also known as A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase domain-containing protein 28, is a member of the ADAM family of proteins. These proteins are characterized by their disintegrin and metalloproteinase domains, which are involved in a variety of biological processes including cell adhesion, cell fusion, and proteolysis.

Structure

ADAM28 is a type I transmembrane protein that consists of several distinct domains:

• **Pro-domain**: This domain is involved in the regulation of the protein's activity.
• **Metalloproteinase domain**: Responsible for the proteolytic activity of the protein, allowing it to cleave other proteins.
• **Disintegrin domain**: Plays a role in cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions.
• **Cysteine-rich domain**: Involved in protein-protein interactions.
• **EGF-like domain**: May play a role in cell signaling.
• **Transmembrane domain**: Anchors the protein in the cell membrane.
• **Cytoplasmic tail**: Involved in intracellular signaling pathways.

Function

ADAM28 is involved in several physiological and pathological processes:

• **Cell Adhesion**: The disintegrin domain of ADAM28 can interact with integrins on the cell surface, influencing cell adhesion and migration.
• **Proteolysis**: The metalloproteinase domain allows ADAM28 to cleave various substrates, including growth factors, cytokines, and other membrane proteins.
• **Immune Response**: ADAM28 has been implicated in modulating immune responses, potentially by processing cytokines or interacting with immune cells.
• **Cancer**: Overexpression of ADAM28 has been observed in certain types of cancer, suggesting a role in tumor progression and metastasis.

Clinical Significance

ADAM28 has been studied in the context of several diseases:

• **Cancer**: Elevated levels of ADAM28 have been associated with poor prognosis in cancers such as breast cancer and non-small cell lung cancer.
• **Cardiovascular Disease**: ADAM28 may play a role in atherosclerosis by influencing the behavior of vascular cells.
• **Inflammatory Diseases**: Due to its role in modulating immune responses, ADAM28 may be involved in inflammatory conditions.

Research

Ongoing research is focused on understanding the precise mechanisms by which ADAM28 contributes to disease processes and exploring its potential as a therapeutic target. Inhibitors of ADAM28 are being investigated for their ability to block its activity and reduce disease progression.

Also see

• ADAM family
• Metalloproteinase
• Cell adhesion
• Cancer biology