TACE is responsible for the shedding of EGFR ligands such as amphiregulin and TNF-alpha. Some tumors have hyperactivated EGFR due to upregulated TNF-alpha production and upregulated TACE, making TACE a potential target for drug development. TACE activates Notch in a ligand-independent manner and has been shown to play a role in the development of the Drosophila nervous system.
