A Disintegrin And Metalloprotease 4 (ADAM4)

ADAMs (disintegrin and metalloproteinase domain), also known as MDCs (metalloproteinase, disintegrin and cysteine-rich domain) or cellular disintegrins are a family of proteins that are ubiquitously expressed. They catalyze proteolysis, adhesion, fusion and intracellular signaling. ADAMs are membrane- anchored, glycosylated, Zn2+-dependent proteases, and there are over 30 different members in the family with many diverse functions. ADAM1-6 localize to the testis, are developmentally regulated, and are involved in spermatogenesis and sperm-egg binding and fusion. ADAM4 expression occurs postmeiotically in spermatids. In addition to its expression in the testis, ADAM4 is also found at low levels in all other adult tissues. Peptides targeting the disintegrin domain of ADAM4 do not disturb spermatogenic cell attachment to Sertoli cell surfaces.