ADAMTS13 encodes a member of a family of proteins containing several distinct regions, including a metalloproteinase domain, a disintegrin-like domain, and a thrombospondin type 1 (TS) motif. The enzyme encoded by ADAMTS13 specifically cleaves von Willebrand Factor (vWF). Defects inADAMTS13 are associated with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants.
