TACE Antibody #3976

TACE (TNF-α converting enzyme), also known as ADAM17, is a transmembrane metalloprotease that plays a key role in the cleavage of a number of cell surface molecules in a process known as “shedding". TACE is abundantly expressed in many adult tissues, but in fetal development, expression is differentially regulated (1). An important substrate of TACE is pro-TNF-α (1). Increased expression of TACE is associated with several pathological conditions, including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, where the pro-inflammatory effects of increased TNF-α contribute to disease pathogenesis (2,3). Regulation of other important molecules by TACE, such as EGFR and Notch, has recently been documented. TACE is responsible for the shedding of EGFR ligands such as amphiregulin and TNF-α. Some tumors have hyperactivated EGFR due to upregulated TNF-α production and upregulated TACE, making TACE a potential target for drug development (4). TACE activates Notch in a ligand-independent manner and has been shown to play a role in the development of the Drosophila nervous system (5). TACE has also been proposed to act as an α-secretase for amyloid precursor protein (APP) (6), and to be involved in the renewal and proliferation of neural stem cells (7).