Mono-ADP-ribosylation is one of the posttranslational protein modifications regulating cellular metabolism (e.g. nitrogen fixation) in prokaryotes. Mono-ADP-ribosylation is a process in which the ADP-ribose moiety of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide is transferred to an acceptor amino acid. Five mammalian ADP-ribosyltransferases (ART1-ART5) have been cloned, and expression is restricted to tissues such as cardiac and skeletal muscle, leukocytes, brain and testis. ART3 (ADP-ribosyltransferase 3), also known as Ecto-ADP-ribosyltransferase 3, is a testis specific membrane protein that does not appear to have ADP-ribosyltransferase activity. It lacks the R-S-EXE active site motif and is therefore unable to catalyze the reaction. ART3 is predominantly found in spermatocytes and may play a role in spermatogenesis.
