ADAM is a family of type I integral membrane proteins which are characteriz
ed by sharing a disintegrin and metalloprotease domain and involved in many
important physiological. processes such as fertilization, neurogenesis and
inflammatory response. A novel human ADAM gene ADAM29, which was cloned in
our laboratory, is exclusively expressed in human testis and contains a po
tential fusion domain. A full-length cDNA of ADAM29 was obtained by using m
ultiple-step PCR. Phylogenetic tree of known mammalian ADAMs specifically e
xpressed in testis. was reconstructed. Polyclonal antiserum was raised by i
mmunizing the rabbits with sub-peptide of ADAM29 (Leu268-Asp374) as immunog
en. The result of immunohistochemical test on human testis showed that ADAM
29 is expressed in different stages of spermatogenesis and in interstitial
cells. ADAM29 may play a certain role in the signal transduction during the
maturation of testis-associated cells.