Macaque MDC family of proteins : sequence analysis, tissue distribution and processing in the male reproductive tract

• Published in: Molecular human reproduction 1998-05, Vol.4 (5), p.429-437
• Main Authors: FRAYNE, J, JURY, J. A, BARKER, H. L, PERRY, A. C. F, JONES, R, HALL, L
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: ADAM Proteins; Amino Acid Sequence; Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Dimerization; Endopeptidases - metabolism; Epididymis - metabolism; Fertilins; Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Genitalia, Male - growth & development; Genitalia, Male - metabolism; Guinea Pigs; Immune Sera; Macaca fascicularis - genetics; Macaca fascicularis - growth & development; Macaca fascicularis - metabolism; Male; Mammalian male genital system; Membrane Glycoproteins - genetics; Membrane Glycoproteins - immunology; Membrane Glycoproteins - metabolism; Membrane Proteins - genetics; Membrane Proteins - immunology; Membrane Proteins - metabolism; Metalloendopeptidases - genetics; Metalloendopeptidases - immunology; Metalloendopeptidases - metabolism; Mice; Molecular Sequence Data; Morphology. Physiology; Multigene Family; Organ Specificity; Protein Processing, Post-Translational; Proteins - genetics; Proteins - immunology; Proteins - metabolism; Rats; RNA, Messenger - biosynthesis; Sequence Alignment; Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; Sexual Maturation; Species Specificity; Spermatogenesis; Spermatozoa - metabolism; Testis - cytology; Testis - metabolism; Vertebrates: reproduction
• ISSN: 1360-9947; 1460-2407; 1460-2407
• DOI: 10.1093/molehr/4.5.429

A large number of sequence-related, cysteine-rich membrane proteins containing metalloproteinase-like and disintegrin-like domains (the MDC protein family) have been identified in mammalian tissues from a variety of species. Previous studies in the macaque (Macaca fascicularis) have led to the cDNA cloning and sequence analysis of a number of MDC proteins which are abundantly expressed in the male reproductive tract. We now describe the distribution of seven of these macaque MDC transcripts in a range of different tissues. This description includes a novel macaque testis-derived MDC, tMDC III, whose full-length sequence is reported for the first time. In addition, polyclonal antisera have been used to localize a number of these MDC proteins to spermatogenic cells in testis sections, and to demonstrate their processing on the sperm surface during epididymal transit.