A Disintegrin And Metalloprotease 17 (ADAM17)

ADAM17 is a 70-kDa enzyme that belongs to the ADAM protein family of disintegrins and metalloproteases. ADAM17 is understood to be involved in the processing of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha;) at the surface of the cell, and from within the intracellular membranes of the trans-Golgi network. This process, which is also known as 'shedding', involves the cleavage and release of a soluble ectodomain from membrane-bound pro-proteins (such as pro-TNF-alpha;), and is of known physiological importance.

ADAM17 was the first 'sheddase' to be identified, and is also understood to play a role in the release of a diverse variety of membrane-anchored cytokines, cell adhesion molecules, receptors, ligands, and enzymes.