ADAM29 siRNA – Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase Domain-Containing Protein 29 Preproprotein (Human)

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. The protein encoded by this gene is highly expressed in testis and may be involved in human spermatogenesis. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants that encode the same protein. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]

ADAM29: a member of the ADAM (a disintegrin and metalloprotease domain) family of Cancer-Testis Antigen (CTAs). CTAs may play roles in embryonal development and tumor transformation or aspects of tumor progression. CTAs were once thought to be silenced in most normal adult tissues, with limited expression in fetal, placental, testis, and ovarian cells. These proteins are now known to be aberrantly expressed in various cancers and many are capable of eliciting humoral and cellular immune responses. Members of this family are membrane-anchored proteins structurally related to snake venom disintegrins. May be involved in spermatogenesis and fertilization. Seems to be a non catalytic metalloprotease-like protein. Has been found to be frequently mutated in melanoma. Mutations may play a role in melanoma progression and metastasis. Expressed in leukemias at the mRNA level. Three isoforms of the human protein are produced by alternative splicing.

Protein type: Cancer Testis Antigen (CTA); Motility/polarity/chemotaxis; Membrane protein, integral; Protease

Chromosomal Location of Human Ortholog: 4q34

Cellular Component: integral to plasma membrane

Molecular Function: zinc ion binding; metallopeptidase activity; metalloendopeptidase activity

Biological Process: spermatogenesis; proteolysis