Evolutionary divergence and functions of the ADAM and ADAMTS gene families.

ABSTRACT: The 'A-disintegrin and metalloproteinase' ( ADAM ) and 'A-disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs' ( ADAMTS ) genes make up two similar, yet distinct, gene families. The human and mouse genomes contain 21 and 24 putatively functional protein-coding ADAM genes, respectively, and 24 versus 32 putatively functional protein-coding ADAMTS genes, respectively. Analysis of evolutionary divergence shows that both families are unique. Each of the two families can be separated, if need be, into groups of more closely related members: six subfamilies for ADAM , four subfamilies for ADAMTS. The presence of both disintegrin and peptidase domains within the ADAM and ADAMTS proteins implies multiple biological roles within the cell. Membrane-anchored ADAM proteins are best known for

SUBMITTER: Brocker CN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3500187 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature