This cysteine rich domain is found in a variety of ADAMTS and ADAMTS-like endopeptidases widely spread in animals [1,2]. It is a well-conserved cysteine-rich sequence containing 10 cysteine residues [3]. ADAM-TS (A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase with Thrombospondin Motifs) is closely related to the ADAM family (A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase, Pfam:PF08516) and consists of at least 20 members sharing a high degree of sequence similarity and conserved domain organisation [4,5]. Members of the ADAMTS family have been implicated in a range of diseases [1,6,7].

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

2: Papilin, a novel component of basement membranes, in relation to ADAMTS metalloproteases and ECM development. Fessler JH, Kramerova I, Kramerov A, Chen Y, Fessler LI; Int J Biochem Cell Biol. 2004;36:1079-1084. PMID:15094122

3: ADAMTS proteinases: a multi-domain, multi-functional family with roles in extracellular matrix turnover and arthritis. Jones GC, Riley GP; Arthritis Res Ther. 2005;7:160-169. PMID:15987500

4: 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

5: 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

6: 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

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