Disintegrin and metalloproteinase domain-containing protein 20 (ADAM20)

Disintegrin and metalloproteinase domain-containing protein 20 (ADAM20) is a zinc-dependent, membrane-anchored enzyme encoded by the ADAM20 gene in humans[1][3][9]. It is a member of the ADAM family, structurally related to snake venom disintegrins, and contains several characteristic domains including a propeptide, a metalloprotease domain, a disintegrin domain, and a cysteine-rich domain[1][3][4][5]. ADAM20 is expressed mainly in the testes and is believed to facilitate sperm-egg fusion during fertilization, possibly functioning as the human equivalent of fertilin α (ADAM1A/B pseudogene in humans)[1]. While the ADAM family overall participates in cell adhesion, migration, proteolysis, and signaling, ADAM20 appears to be specialized for reproductive function[2][3][6]. There is no current evidence implicating ADAM20 in drug targeting, approved therapies, or as a biomarker in disease settings[9].

Other names

ADAM20ADAM metallopeptidase domain 20Disintegrin and metalloproteinase domain-containing protein 20ADAM 20A disintegrin and metalloproteinase domain 20

Not applicable; there are no drugs reported to act on ADAM20, so no known mechanisms of drug action for this specific target. General ADAM inhibitors act as zinc-chelating agents at the catalytic site of other ADAM proteases, but not specifically for ADAM20