A disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 9 (ADAMTS9)

ADAMTS9 is a secreted metalloprotease of the ADAMTS family, featuring a propeptide region, a metalloproteinase domain, a disintegrin-like domain, and multiple thrombospondin type-1 motifs. It plays a pivotal role in remodeling the extracellular matrix by cleaving large proteoglycans such as versican and aggrecan, especially during embryogenesis and organ development. ADAMTS9 also acts as a tumor suppressor by inhibiting angiogenesis and is frequently inactivated in several cancers due to promoter hypermethylation, which enables tumor progression. Genetic association studies have linked ADAMTS9 to type 2 diabetes risk and metabolic traits. Unique among ADAMTS family members, it is essential for protein trafficking in addition to ECM remodeling. Downregulation or absence of ADAMTS9 expression in cancer correlates with more aggressive disease and poor prognosis, supporting its importance in disease modulation.

Other names

ADAM metallopeptidase with thrombospondin type 1 motif 9ADAMTS9KIAA1312ADAM-TS 9ADAM-TS9ADAMTS-9a disintegrin-like and metalloprotease (reprolysin type) with thrombospondin type 1 motif, 9

No clinically established mechanism for drugs directly targeting ADAMTS9; functionally, inhibitor drugs would block ECM proteolysis or modulate antiangiogenic activity.