ADAM2

This gene encodes a member of the ADAM (a disintegrin and metalloprotease domain) family. Members of this family are membrane-anchored proteins structurally related to snake venom disintegrins, and have been implicated in a variety of biological processes involving cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions, including fertilization, muscle development, and neurogenesis. This member is a subunit of an integral sperm membrane glycoprotein called fertilin, which plays an important role in sperm-egg interactions. [provided by RefSeq]

Full Name

ADAM metallopeptidase domain 2

Function

Sperm surface membrane protein that may be involved in sperm-egg plasma membrane adhesion and fusion during fertilization. Could have a direct role in sperm-zona binding or migration of sperm from the uterus into the oviduct. Interactions with egg membrane could be mediated via binding between its disintegrin-like domain to one or more integrins receptors on the egg. This is a non catalytic metalloprotease-like protein.

Biological Process

Binding of sperm to zona pellucida
Cell adhesion
Fusion of sperm to egg plasma membrane involved in single fertilization

Cellular Location

Membrane

Topology

Extracellular: 175-686 aa
Helical: 687-707 aa
Cytoplasmic: 708-735 aa

PTM

The prodomain and the metalloprotease domain are cleaved during the epididymal maturation of the spermatozoa.