This gene encodes a member of "a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs" (ADAMTS) family of multi-domain matrix-associated metalloendopeptidases that have diverse roles in tissue morphogenesis and pathophysiological remodeling, in inflammation and in vascular biology. This gene is predominantly expressed in the ovary with lower levels of expression observed in kidney, heart, skeletal muscle, lung and testis. The encoded preproprotein undergoes proteolytic processing to generate an active protease. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2016]