查看文章

A decade ago, a disintegrin and metalloproteinase 10 (ADAM10) was identified as an α‐secretase and as a key proteinase in the processing of the amyloid precursor protein. Accordingly, the important role that it plays in Alzheimer’s disease was manifested. Animal models with an overexpression of ADAM10 revealed a beneficial profile of the metalloproteinase with respect to learning and memory, plaque load and synaptogenesis. Therefore, ADAM10 presents a worthwhile target with respect to the treatment of a neurodegenerative disease such as Morbus Alzheimer. Initially, ADAM10 was suggested to be an enzyme, shaping the extracellular matrix by cleavage of collagen type IV, or to be a tumour necrosis factor α convertase. In a relatively short time, a wide variety of additional substrates (with amyloid precursor protein probably being the most prominent) has been identified and the search is still ongoing …