ADAM12

ADAM12, formally named A Disintegrin And Metalloproteinase 12, is a zinc-dependent metalloproteinase in the ADAM family, with common aliases like Meltrin α. It mediates extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation by cleaving collagen and fibronectin, and acts as a sheddase to release soluble ligands (e.g., HB-EGF), activating EGFR signaling to drive cell proliferation and migration.
Dysregulated ADAM12 is linked to cancers (breast, prostate, colorectal) where it promotes invasion and metastasis, and fibrotic disorders like liver fibrosis via ECM dysregulation. Preclinical studies are exploring targeted therapies—small-molecule inhibitors and neutralizing antibodies—to block its proteolytic activity and mitigate disease progression.