Importance of the porcine ADAM3 disintegrin domain in sperm-egg interaction

• Published in: Journal of Reproduction and Development Vol. 55; no. 2; pp. 156 - 162
• Main Authors: Kim, E.(Korea Research Inst. of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Chungbuk (Korea R.)), Park, K.E, Kim, J.S, Baek, D.C, Lee, J.W, Lee, S.R, Kim, M.S, Kim, S.H, Kim C.S, Koo, D.B, Kang, H.S, Ryoo, Z.Y, Chang, K.T
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan THE SOCIETY FOR REPRODUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT 01.04.2009
• Subjects: A disintegrin and metalloprotease (ADAM); ADAM Proteins - genetics; ADAM Proteins - physiology; Amino Acid Sequence; Animals; Blotting, Southern - veterinary; Blotting, Western - veterinary; CERDO; Disintegrin domain; DNA - chemistry; DNA - genetics; ESPERMATOZOO; Female; Fertilization in Vitro - veterinary; Gene Dosage; Male; Molecular Sequence Data; OVA; OVULE; OVULO; Polymerase Chain Reaction - veterinary; PORCIN; Porcine; PROTEASAS; PROTEASE; PROTEASES; Protein Isoforms; Protein Structure, Tertiary; PROTEINAS; PROTEINE; PROTEINS; Sequence Alignment; Sperm-egg interaction; Sperm-Ovum Interactions - physiology; SPERMATOZOA; SPERMATOZOIDE; SWINE; Swine - genetics; Swine - physiology; TESTES; TESTICULE; TESTICULOS
• ISSN: 0916-8818; 1348-4400
• DOI: 10.1262/jrd.20134

In the mouse, ADAM3, a well-characterized testis-specific protein of the A disintegrin and metalloprotease (ADAM) family, has a crucial role in fertilization by mediating sperm binding to the egg zona pellucida. However, little is known about ADAM3 in other species, such as domestic pigs. We have identified porcine ADAM3 and analyzed the protein. RT-PCR and trypsinization of sperm surface proteins revealed that porcine ADAM3 is expressed at high levels in the testis and on the sperm surface. Furthermore, an IVF inhibition assay with a recombinant porcine ADAM3 disintegrin domain showed that treatment of the disintegrin domain effectively prevented pig sperm-egg interactions. In the present study, we demonstrated the presence of ADAM3a and ADAM3b molecules in the pig and examined their roles in fertilization.