A disintegrin and metalloprotease domain-containing protein 15 (ADAM15), is a member of the ADAM (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase) protein family. ADAM family members are type I transmembrane glycoproteins known to be involved in cell adhesion and proteolytic ectodomain processing of cytokines and adhesion molecules. This protein contains multiple functional domains including a zinc-binding metalloprotease domain, a disintegrin-like domain, as well as an EGF-like domain. Through its disintegrin-like domain, this protein specifically interacts with the integrin beta chain, beta 3. It also interacts with Src family protein-tyrosine kinases in a phosphorylation-dependent manner, suggesting that this protein may function in cell-cell adhesion as well as in cellular signaling.
ADAM15 has been associated with a number of diseases, most recently Rheumatoid Arthritis. ADAM15 also has an antiapoptotic effect in osteoarthritic chondrocytes. It has also been shown to have a role in Prostate Cancer through increased expression in neoplastic and metastatic tissues compared to normal prostate tissues and also through its modulation of epithelial cell- tumour cell interactions. ADAM15 may represent a pivotal regulatory component of tumor progression or an important target for therapeutic intervention.