Aggrecanase-2 / cartilage-degrading enzyme target
ADAMTS-5
Cited range Research target
What it is
ADAMTS-5 (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 5), also called aggrecanase-2, is an enzyme that degrades aggrecan, the major structural proteoglycan of cartilage. In this library it sits on the “target” side of the ledger: it is the thing inhibitors are designed against, not a compound you administer. It is included because searches for joint-related peptides frequently surface it.
Benefits in plain language
What researchers and reference users usually mean when they talk about this compound. These are study themes and common claims — not a promise that it will do this in you.
- Think of this as the “cartilage scissors” — it is the enzyme that cuts up the cushioning matrix in a joint.
- Drug developers want to block it to slow osteoarthritis progression, not to inject it.
- If you see it in a peptide shop, that is likely a mislabel or a research reagent, not a therapy.
- Its real value is understanding why cartilage breakdown happens in the first place.
If a branded, FDA-approved product exists, that label is the only dose that is actually authorized. Research-chemical vials are a different object.
Mechanism of action
ADAMTS-5 cleaves the interglobular domain of aggrecan at specific glutamyl bonds, releasing fragments and weakening cartilage tensile strength. Its activity is elevated in osteoarthritis and after inflammatory insult. Inhibitor programs (small molecules and antibodies) have targeted its catalytic domain, with mixed clinical results.
Possible side effects / caveats
As a target, the concern is the reverse of a side effect profile: broad inhibition may interfere with normal matrix turnover and has been associated with structural and developmental effects in animals. There is no injectable human product and no meaningful self-administration protocol to discuss.
Protocol ranges
| Source tier | Amount | Frequency / duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reference | Not applicable | — | Enzyme target; no dosing concept applies |
| Preclinical papers | Assayed in vitro and in knockout models | — | Target-validation studies, not dosing |