This gene encodes a member of the ADAMTS (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin repeats) family of proteinases that is involved in the proteolytic processing of procollagens. The encoded protein precursor is proteolytically processed to generate a mature, zinc-dependent enzyme. Mice lacking the encoded protein develop abnormal lungs, fragile skin and male sterility. [provided by RefSeq, Aug 2015]