ADAM-17 is activated by the mitogenic protein kinase ERK in a model of kidney fibrosis.

Chronic kidney disease affects 1 of 9 Americans. Recent studies showed increased activation of the metalloenzyme disintegrin ADAM-17 during the development of the disease and that threonine phosphorylation of ADAM-17 may be an important regulator of the enzyme activity. Using kidney mesangial cells we investigated whether profibrotic serotonin (5-HT) induces phosphorylation of ADAM-17 with concomitant increase in the enzyme activity.