ADAM18 Activators

A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase 18 (ADAM18) is a transmembrane protein expressed in humans by the ADAM18 gene. It belongs to the ADAM protein family, known for their roles in cell signaling, cell adhesion, and proteolysis.ADAM proteins contain several domains, including a metalloprotease domain, a disintegrin domain, a cysteine-rich domain, an EGF-like domain, a transmembrane domain, and a cytoplasmic domain. The metalloprotease domain is involved in the proteolytic cleavage of cell surface proteins, a process known as "ectodomain shedding". The disintegrin domain can interact with integrins, mediating cell-cell interactions.

ADAM18 is primarily expressed in the testis, suggesting a role in reproduction. While the exact function of ADAM18 remains largely unknown, other ADAM family members are known to play roles in sperm-egg interaction, indicating ADAM18 may also contribute to this process.Like other ADAM proteins, ADAM18 is synthesized as an inactive precursor that undergoes proteolytic processing to become an active enzyme. This activation can occur in the trans-Golgi network or at the cell surface. The regulation of this activation process can influence various cellular processes, including cell adhesion, migration, and signal transduction.