Members of the ADAM family are cell surface proteins with a unique structure possessing both potential adhesion and protease domains. The gene ADAM10 encodes and ADAM family member that cleaves many proteins including TNF-alpha and E-cadherin. It cleaves the membrane-bound precursor of TNF-alpha at '76-Ala-|-Val-77' to its mature soluble form. It is responsible for the proteolytical release of soluble JAM3 from endothelial cells surface. It is responsible for the proteolytic release of several other cell-surface proteins, including heparin-binding epidermal growth-like factor, ephrin-A2, CD44, CDH2 and for constitutive and regulated alpha-secretase cleavage of APP (amyloid precursor protein). It contributes to the normal cleavage of the cellular prion protein. It is involved in the cleavage of the adhesion molecule L1 at the cell surface and in released membrane vesicles, suggesting a vesicle-based protease activity.