Multiple cadherin superfamily members with unique expression profiles are produced in rat testis

Adhesion between germ and Sertoli cells is thought to be crucial for sperma togenesis. Cadherin superfamily proteins, including classic cadherins and p rotocadherins, are important mediators of cell-cell adhesion. Using a degen erate PCR cloning strategy, we surveyed the expression of cadherin superfam ily members in rat testis. Similar to brain, testis expressed a large numbe r of cadherin superfamily members: 7 classic cadherins of both types I and II, 14 protocadherins, 2 protocadherin-related cadherins, and 1 cadherin-re lated receptor-like protein. All three protocadherin families (alpha, beta, and gamma) were found in testis. Using a semiquantitative RT-PCR assay, me ssenger RNA expression was determined for each cadherin superfamily member during a postnatal developmental time-course and following ablation of spec ific testis cell types by ethanedimethanesulfonate, methoxy acetic acid, an d 2,5-hexanedione. Diverse expression patterns were observed among the cadh erins, suggesting that cadherin expression is cell type-specific in testis. The large number and variety of cadherin superfamily members found in test is supports a critical function for cadherin-mediated cell-cell adhesion in spermatogenesis.