| Modification Notes |
ADAMs (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase domain), also known as MDCs (metalloproteinase, disintegrin, and cysteine-rich domain) or cellular disintegrins, are a family of proteins that are expressed in numerous different tissues. 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. ADAM3, also called cyritestin, is exclusively expressed on the surface of sperm. In the early development of sperm, ADAM3 forms a complex with ADAM2. Disruption of this complex can impair the function and structure of ADAM3. ADAM3 plays a significant role in sperm-oocyte binding. Sperm lacking functional ADAM3 cannot bind to the zona pellucida and fertilization cannot take place. |