title: Synthesis, processing, and subcellular localization of mouse ADAM3 during spermatogenesis and epididymal sperm transport.
abstract: To elucidate synthesis, processing, and subcellular localization of mouse ADAM3 (cyritestin) during spermatogenesis and epididymal sperm transport, we carried out immunoblotting and immunohistochemical analysis of testicular germ cells, and epididymal and vas deferens sperm, using affinity-purified anti-ADAM3 antibody. ADAM3 was initially synthesized as a 110-kDa precursor in round spermatids, and the precursor was then processed into a 42-kDa mature protein during the sperm transport into and/or once in the epididymis. The mature ADAM3 was localized on the anterior part of capacitated sperm heads and was rapidly removed from the head region during the calcium ionophore A23187-induced acrosome reaction. These results demonstrate that the mature form of ADAM3 is involved in the binding of sperm to the egg zona pellucida, not in the membrane fusion between sperm and egg.
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba Science City, Ibaraki, Japan.
authors.forename: Ekyune
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Hitoshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nishimura
authors.forename: Shigeki
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Iwase
authors.forename: Kazuo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yamagata
authors.forename: Shin-ichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kashiwabara
authors.forename: Tadashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Baba
mesh_terms: D051722:ADAM Proteins; D020101:Acrosome Reaction / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies; D004822:Epididymis / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D013077:Sperm Head / Q000378:metabolism*; D013084:Sperm-Ovum Interactions / Q000502:physiology; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D051722:ADAM Proteins; C485429:Adam3 protein, mouse; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases