Are C-type lectin-related proteins derived by proteolysis of metalloproteinase/disintegrin precursor proteins?

Metalloproteinases and disintegrins, non-enzymatic inhibitors of platelet aggregation, are derived by proteolysis from common precursors. A closer examination of the cDNA and amino acid sequences of these precursors indicated that the putative signal peptide may be an internal hydrophobic segment and that the sequences are incomplete at the 5'-region. The studies indicated that C-type lectin-related proteins are also derived from the amino terminal region of these precursors. Based on these findings, a five-domain structure is proposed for the precursors.