ADAM12

A Disintegrin And Metalloprotease 12 (ADAM12) is also known as Meltrin-alpha and MCMP, is a member of the ADAM and MDC (Metalloprotease, Disintegrin, Cysteine-rich) protein family. Members of this family are membrane-anchored proteins structurally related to snake venom disintegrins, and have been implicated in a variety of biological processes involving in diverse processes such as asthma, development, angiogenesis and cancer through their activities in cell adhesion/fusion, membrane protein shedding, and signal transduction. Over 30 members have been identified and about half of them are active metalloproteases such as ADAM8, 9, 10, 12 and 17/TACE. ADAM12 has four Isoform, Isoform 1 is expressed in placenta and skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscle. Isoform 2 seems to be expressed only in placenta or in embryo and fetus. Both forms were expressed in some tumor cells lines. ADAM12 Involved in skeletal muscle regeneration, specifically at the onset of cell fusion and also involved in macrophage-derived giant cells (MGC) and osteoclast formation from mononuclear precursors.