Molecular cloning and expression analysis of a novel member of the Disintegrin and Metalloprotease-Domain (ADAM) family.
We cloned and characterized the cDNA and the expression pattern of a novel member of the murine 'Disintegrin and Metalloprotease-Domain Family' (ADAM). The predicted protein sequence reveals highest homology to the testase-subgroup, composed of ADAM 24, ADAM 25 and ADAM 26 and is therefore called testase 4. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction showed a strong expression of testase 4 in the adult testis, but not in any other organ or embryonic stage tested. Careful characterization by in situ hybridization confirmed specific expression of testase 4 in maturing sperm cells of 6-week-old mice, whereas no specific hybridization pattern was detectable in testes of 2.5-week-old mice. These data indicate a correlation between testase 4 expression and spermatogenesis and/or fertilization.
Brachvogel
Bent
B
Department of Experimental Medicine I, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen/Nuremberg, Glueckstrasse 6, Germany.
Reichenberg
Dorothee
D
Beyer
Stephanie
S
Jehn
Birgit
B
von der Mark
Klaus
K
Bielke
Wolfgang
W
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D019483:Disintegrins / Q000235:genetics*; D015870:Gene Expression; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008297:Male; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases / Q000235:genetics*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D013737:Testis / Q000378:metabolism
D018076:DNA, Complementary; D019483:Disintegrins; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases; C462521:testase 4, human