ADAM metallopeptidase with thrombospondin type 1 motif 8 (ADAMTS8)

ADAM metallopeptidase with thrombospondin type 1 motif 8 is a secreted, extracellular enzyme of the ADAMTS protein family. It contains distinct functional domains: a metalloproteinase domain, disintegrin-like domain, and two thrombospondin type 1 motifs. The mature enzyme is generated by proteolytic processing of a precursor protein. ADAMTS8 negatively regulates angiogenesis and is implicated as a tumor suppressor based on its reduced expression profile in several types of human cancer, including lung neoplasms. It primarily functions through remodeling the extracellular matrix and regulating tissue responses such as cell proliferation. There are ongoing studies on its utility as a biomarker and potential therapeutic target, but selective drugs are not yet clinically available

Other names

ADAMTS8ADAM-TS8METH2A disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 8

If targeted pharmacologically, mechanisms would include inhibition of proteolytic activity (reducing angiogenesis and tumor microenvironment remodeling)