Adam12 in Tumor Progression: Characterization of a Multifaceted Protein

Cancer is a highly complex disease involving many different cellular processes, including cell proliferation and cell adhesion. ADAM12 - a disintegrin and metalloprotease, which is found upregulated in various cancer types, has been implicated in these processes. In this book, immortalized primary tumor cell lines from a breast cancer mouse model was generated and utilized to investigate the role of ADAM12 in tumor progression. This study identified ADAM12 to function in the tumor cells rather than the stromal cells of the tumor microinvironment to promote tumor progression. Additionally the adhesion domains of this multifunctional protein might play a crucial role in tumor progression. In conclusion, the overall function of ADAM12 should be seen in the broader context of the different functional domains and the microinvironment in which it acts.