Macaque MDC family of proteins: sequence analysis, tissue distribution and processing in the male reproductive tract

A large number of sequence-related, cysteine-rich membrane proteins containing metalloproteinase-like and disintegrin-like domains (the MDC protein family) have been identified in mammalian tissues from a variety of species. Previous studies in the macaque (Macaca fascicolaris) have led to the cDNA cloning and sequence analysis of a number of MDC proteins which are abundantly expressed in the male reproductive tract. We now describe the distribution of seven of these macaque MDC transcripts in a range of different tissues. This description includes a novel macaque testis-derived MDC, tMDC III, whose full-length sequence is reported for the first time. In addition, polyclonal antisera have been used to localize a number of these MDC proteins to spermatogenic cells in testis sections, and to demonstrate their processing on the sperm surface during epididymal transit.