Snake venom metalloproteinases: Structure, function and relevance to the mammalian ADAM/ADAMTS family proteins

► Snake venom metalloproteinases (SVMPs) are highly abundant in many viper venoms. ► SVMPs can cause hemorrhage and disruption of hemostasis upon envenomation. ► SVMPs and mammalian ADAM/ADAMTS proteins constitute the M12B clan of endopeptidases. ► Large SVMPs and ADAMs/ADAMTSs have multiple non-catalytic domains. ► These ancillary domains may target the enzyme to specific substrates.