ADAM9 Protein — Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase Domain 9
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ADAM9 Protein — Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase Domain 9
Introduction
Adam9 Protein — Disintegrin And Metalloproteinase Domain 9 is an important component in the neurobiology of neurodegenerative diseases. This page provides detailed information about its structure, function, and role in disease processes.
Overview
<div class="infobox infobox-protein"> <h3>ADAM9 Protein</h3> <table> <tr><th>Protein Name</th><td>Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase Domain 9</td></tr> <tr><th>Gene</th><td>[ADAM9](/genes/adam9)</td></tr> <tr><th>UniProt ID</th><td>[Q13443](https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/Q13443)</td></tr> <tr><th>Protein Size</th><td>819 amino acids (~90 kDa)</td></tr> <tr><th>Subcellular Localization</th><td>Cell surface; membrane-anchored; shed to soluble form</td></tr> <tr><th>Protein Family</th><td>ADAM family (A Disintegrin And Metalloproteinase)</td></tr> <tr><th>PDB Structures</th><td>[1JXK](https://www.ebi.ac.uk/pdbe/search/pdb/1JXK), [2EAO](https://www.ebi.ac.uk/pdbe/search/pdb/2EAO)</td></tr> <tr> <td class="label">KG Connections</td> <td><a href="/atlas" style="color:#4fc3f7">1 edges</a></td> </tr> </table> </div>
ADAM9 (A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase 9) is a member of the ADAM family of transmembrane metalloproteinases that plays important roles in cell adhesion, migration, and proteolytic processing of various substrates, including the [amyloid precursor protein](/entities/app-protein) (APP).
Structure
ADAM9 has the characteristic multi-domain structure of ADAM proteins:
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ADAM9 Protein — Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase Domain 9
Introduction
Adam9 Protein — Disintegrin And Metalloproteinase Domain 9 is an important component in the neurobiology of neurodegenerative diseases. This page provides detailed information about its structure, function, and role in disease processes.
Overview
<div class="infobox infobox-protein"> <h3>ADAM9 Protein</h3> <table> <tr><th>Protein Name</th><td>Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase Domain 9</td></tr> <tr><th>Gene</th><td>[ADAM9](/genes/adam9)</td></tr> <tr><th>UniProt ID</th><td>[Q13443](https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/Q13443)</td></tr> <tr><th>Protein Size</th><td>819 amino acids (~90 kDa)</td></tr> <tr><th>Subcellular Localization</th><td>Cell surface; membrane-anchored; shed to soluble form</td></tr> <tr><th>Protein Family</th><td>ADAM family (A Disintegrin And Metalloproteinase)</td></tr> <tr><th>PDB Structures</th><td>[1JXK](https://www.ebi.ac.uk/pdbe/search/pdb/1JXK), [2EAO](https://www.ebi.ac.uk/pdbe/search/pdb/2EAO)</td></tr> <tr> <td class="label">KG Connections</td> <td><a href="/atlas" style="color:#4fc3f7">1 edges</a></td> </tr> </table> </div>
ADAM9 (A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase 9) is a member of the ADAM family of transmembrane metalloproteinases that plays important roles in cell adhesion, migration, and proteolytic processing of various substrates, including the [amyloid precursor protein](/entities/app-protein) (APP).
Structure
ADAM9 has the characteristic multi-domain structure of ADAM proteins:
N-terminal Signal Sequence: Targets protein to secretory pathway
Prodomain: Keeps the enzyme inactive until processed
Metalloproteinase Domain: Contains the catalytic zinc (HExGHNLG) motif; responsible for proteolytic activity
Disintegrin Domain: Mediates cell-cell adhesion through interactions with integrin receptors
Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF)-like Domain: Present in some ADAMs
Transmembrane Domain: Anchors protein to plasma membrane
Cytoplasmic Tail: Contains signaling motifs and sorting information
Normal Function
In normal cells, ADAM9 participates in:
Proteolytic Processing: Cleaves various membrane proteins, including growth factors, cytokines, and adhesion molecules.
Cell Adhesion: The disintegrin domain interacts with integrins to mediate cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions.
Cell Migration: Facilitates cell migration by processing adhesion molecules and growth factor precursors.
Fertility: Important for sperm-egg fusion and testicular function.
Wound Healing: Involved in tissue repair processes.
Role in Disease
Alzheimer's Disease
ADAM9 is one of the alpha-secretase candidates that can cleave APP within the [amyloid-beta](/proteins/amyloid-beta) sequence, potentially preventing amyloid plaque formation<sup>[1]</sup>. However, ADAM9 also:
Can generate amyloidogenic fragments under certain conditions
Is upregulated in AD brains, possibly as a compensatory response
Contributes to altered synaptic function in AD
Cancer
ADAM9 is overexpressed in various cancers and promotes:
Tumor invasion and metastasis
Angiogenesis
Resistance to chemotherapy
Cardiovascular Disease
ADAM9 plays roles in atherosclerosis, restenosis, and heart failure.
Therapeutic Targeting
ADAM9 is a potential therapeutic target:
Selective Inhibitors: Metalloproteinase inhibitors that specifically target ADAM9
Monoclonal Antibodies: Blocking antibodies that prevent substrate cleavage
Small Molecule Inhibitors: Broad-spectrum MMP/ADAM inhibitors with ADAM9 selectivity
[ADAM9 in Alzheimer's Disease](/diseases/alzheimers-disease)
Background
The study of Adam9 Protein — Disintegrin And Metalloproteinase Domain 9 has evolved significantly over the past decades. Research in this area has revealed important insights into the underlying mechanisms of neurodegeneration and continues to drive therapeutic development.
Historical context and key discoveries in this field have shaped our current understanding and will continue to guide future research directions.
External Links
[PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/) - Biomedical literature
[Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative](https://adni.loni.usc.edu/) - Research data
[Allen Brain Atlas](https://brain-map.org/) - Brain gene expression data