Semaphorin 4B is an ADAM17-cleaved adipokine that inhibits adipocyte differentiation and thermogenesis.

Objective: The metalloprotease ADAM17 (also called TACE) plays fundamental roles in homeostasis by shedding key signaling molecules from the cell surface. Although its importance for the immune system and epithelial tissues is well-documented, little is known about the role of ADAM17 in metabolic homeostasis. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of ADAM17 expression, specifically in adipose tissues, on metabolic homeostasis.

On the track of intramembrane clippers: the SPPL2a/b proteases caught in the act in animal models.

In this issue, Ballin et al. report on their analysis of the substrate repertoire of SPPL2a and b intramembrane proteases. Based on the previous studies of their closest homologues, SPPL2c, SPPL3 and SPP, the authors hypothesized that SPPL2a/b proteases may cleave a subset of SNARE proteins.