Rat MDC family of proteins: Sequence analysis, tissue distribution, and expression in prepubertal and adult rat testis

An increasing 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. Here, we report the cloning and sequence analysis of cDNAs encoding several rat orthologues of this protein family, some of which are found to be expressed exclusively in the male reproductive tract, others exhibiting a broader tissue distribution. We also examine their expression in prepubertal and adult vat testis, which, in conjunction with the data on tissue distribution, form a necessary prelude to further studies aimed at establishing their individual functions. (C) 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.