Comprehensive analysis of reproductive ADAMs: relationship of ADAM4 and ADAM6 with an ADAM complex required for fertilization in mice.
A Disintegrin And Metalloprotease (ADAM) family members expressed in male reproductive tissues are divided phylogenetically into three major groups. In the present study, we analyzed six ADAMs in one of the groups (ADAMs 4, 6, 24, 26, 29, and 30) of which function is largely unknown. Our results showed that most of the ADAMs undergo unique processing during sperm maturation and are located at the surface of sperm head. We found that the levels of ADAM4 and ADAM6 are dramatically reduced in Adam2 and Adam3 knockout sperm defective in various fertilization processes. We observed premature processing of ADAM4 in the Adam3-null mice. Furthermore, we obtained a result showing complex formation of ADAM6 with ADAM2 and ADAM3 in testis. Taken together, these results disclose involvement of ADAM4 and ADAM6 in a reproductive ADAM system that functions in fertilization.
Han
Cecil
C
Department of Life Science and Research Center for Biomolecular Nanotechnology, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju, Korea.
Choi
Eunyoung
E
Park
Inju
I
Lee
Boyeon
B
Jin
Sora
S
Kim
Do Han
DH
Nishimura
Hitoshi
H
Cho
Chunghee
C
D051722:ADAM Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D005260:Female; D000072196:Fertilins; D005306:Fertilization / Q000502:physiology*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D046912:Multiprotein Complexes; D011499:Protein Processing, Post-Translational; D013079:Sperm Maturation / Q000502:physiology; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000502:physiology; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000502:physiology; D013737:Testis / Q000502:physiology
D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D046912:Multiprotein Complexes; D051722:ADAM Proteins; C000606458:Adam2 protein, mouse; C485429:Adam3 protein, mouse; C093559:Adam4 protein, mouse; D000072196:Fertilins