Sapporo Medical Journal

Abstract : The ADAMTS are a group of proteinases containing the thrombospondin motifs. ADAMTS15 is a member of ADAMTS family and plays a crucial role in the proteoglycan degradation. Overexpression of ADAMTS15 gene promotes the breakdown of extracellular matrix (ECM) which associated in several diseases including initiation of premature rupture of membrane (PROM) process. Moreover, ADAMTS15 and long chains noncoding RNA (lncRNA) has a positive feedback loop trough PROM. In contrast, collagen expression has negative feedback towards ADAMTS15 expression followed by occurring of PROM. This review provides an overview of current knowledge of ADAMTS15, including its structure, regulation of ADAMTS15 and their role in PROM.