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Updated: Aug 18, 2026
Analysis of Epididymal Protein Synthesis and Secretion
Published on: August 25, 2018
Molecular, biochemical, and cellular characterization of epididymal ADAMs, ADAM7 and ADAM28
Jungsu Oh1, Jong-Min Woo, Eunyoung Choi
1Department of Life Science, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju 500-712, Republic of Korea.
Abstract:
The mammalian epididymis is critical for sperm to acquire motility and fertilizing capacity. This maturation process involves the interaction of epididymal secretory proteins with sperm. We analyzed mouse a disintegrin and metalloprotease (ADAMs) 7 and 28 expressed specifically or predominantly in the epididymis. We found that these ADAM genes are expressed in an epididymal region-specific manner and their gene expression is regulated by both androgen and testicular factors (ADAM7) or only testicular factors (ADAM28). We identified an ADAM28 transcript isoform that lacks the transmembrane domain. Protein analysis revealed that ADAM7, but not ADAM28, is transferred from the epididymis to the sperm surface and redistributed in the sperm head during acrosome reaction. These processes were shown to occur without processing of the protein. Taken together, our results indicate that the two epididymal ADAMs closely related in phylogeny are differential in various characteristics and ADAM7 has unique secretory feature and interactive relationship with sperm.
Insights
Mouse epididymis proteins a disintegrin and metalloprotease (ADAMs) 7 and 28 are crucial for sperm maturation. ADAM7 transfers to sperm and interacts with the sperm head, unlike ADAM28, highlighting unique roles in fertility.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Molecular Endocrinology
- Sperm Physiology
Background:
- The epididymis is essential for sperm maturation, acquiring motility and fertilizing capacity through interactions with secretory proteins.
- A disintegrin and metalloproteases (ADAMs) are implicated in various biological processes, including reproduction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression patterns and functional roles of ADAM7 and ADAM28, which are specifically or predominantly expressed in the mouse epididymis.
- To elucidate the differential interactions of these epididymal ADAMs with sperm during maturation.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of ADAM7 and ADAM28 gene expression in specific regions of the mouse epididymis.
- Investigation of gene expression regulation by androgens and testicular factors.
- Identification of ADAM28 transcript isoforms.
- Protein localization studies on sperm and epididymal tissues.
- Assessment of protein processing during sperm-epididymis interaction.
Main Results:
- ADAM7 and ADAM28 exhibit region-specific expression within the epididymis.
- ADAM7 gene expression is regulated by both androgen and testicular factors, while ADAM28 is regulated by testicular factors only.
- An ADAM28 transcript isoform lacking a transmembrane domain was identified.
- ADAM7, but not ADAM28, is secreted from the epididymis and transferred to the sperm surface, redistributing to the sperm head during the acrosome reaction without processing.
Conclusions:
- ADAM7 and ADAM28, despite phylogenetic relatedness, display distinct characteristics in the epididymis.
- ADAM7 possesses unique secretory features and establishes a specific interactive relationship with sperm, suggesting a direct role in sperm maturation and fertilizing capacity.
- ADAM28's role in sperm maturation appears different, potentially mediated by its transcript isoform or other mechanisms.
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