This cysteine rich domain is found in a variety of ADAMTS peptidases (A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase with Thrombospondin Motifs) which is closely related to the ADAM family (Pfam:PF08516) [1,2]. Members of the ADAM-TS family have been implicated in a range of diseases [3,4,5]. For instance, members of this family have been found to participate directly in processes in the central nervous system (CNS) such as the regulation of brain plasticity [6].

1: Molecular cloning of a gene encoding a new type of metalloproteinase-disintegrin family protein with thrombospondin motifs as an inflammation associated gene. Kuno K, Kanada N, Nakashima E, Fujiki F, Ichimura F, Matsushima K; J Biol Chem. 1997;272:556-562. PMID:8995297

2: ADAM-TS5, ADAM-TS6, and ADAM-TS7, novel members of a new family of zinc metalloproteases. General features and genomic distribution of the ADAM-TS family. Hurskainen TL, Hirohata S, Seldin MF, Apte SS; J Biol Chem. 1999;274:25555-25563. PMID:10464288

3: Regulation of ADAMTS Proteases. Rose KWJ, Taye N, Karoulias SZ, Hubmacher D; Front Mol Biosci. 2021;8:701959. PMID:34268335

4: Aggrecan degradation in human articular cartilage explants is mediated by both ADAMTS-4 and ADAMTS-5. Song RH, Tortorella MD, Malfait AM, Alston JT, Yang Z, Arner EC, Griggs DW; Arthritis Rheum. 2007;56:575-585. PMID:17265492

5: ADAMTS proteins in human disorders. Mead TJ, Apte SS; Matrix Biol. 2018;71:225-239. PMID:29885460

6: New Insights into ADAMTS Metalloproteases in the Central Nervous System. Mohamedi Y, Fontanil T, Cobo T, Cal S, Obaya AJ; Biomolecules. 2020; [Epub ahead of print] PMID:32150898