To uncover the identity of a specific ADAM17 substrate which unambiguously links the sheddase to the ERK signaling pathway and virus infection, we analyzed the release of amphiregulin (AREG), the transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-α), and heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF) into the supernatant of HaCaT cells and their functional requirement in HPV16 infection (Figure 7). Here, TGFA is linked to viral infectious disease.