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Vickram S, Rohini K, Anbarasu K, Dey N, Jeyanthi P, Thanigaivel S, Issac PK, Arockiaraj J. Semenogelin, a coagulum macromolecule monitoring factor involved in the first step of fertilization: A prospective review. Int J Biol Macromol 2022; 209:951-962. [PMID: 35447263 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.04.079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Human male infertility affects approximately 1/10 couples worldwide, and its prevalence is found more in developed countries. Along with sperm cells, the secretions of the prostate, seminal vesicle and epididymis plays a major role in proper fertilization. Many studies have proven the functions of seminal vesicle secretions, especially semenogelin protein, as an optimiser for fertilization. Semenogelin provides the structural components for coagulum formation after ejaculation. It binds with eppin and is found to have major functions like motility of sperm, transporting the sperm safely in the immune rich female reproductive tract until the sperm cells reach the egg intact. The capacitation process is essential for proper fertilization and semenogelin involved in mediating capacitation in time. Also, it has control of events towards the first step in the fertilization process. It is a Zn ions binding protein, and Zn ions act as a cofactor that helps in the proper motility of sperm cells. Therefore, any imbalance in protein that automatically affect sperm physiology and fertility status. This review sheds a comprehensive and critical view on the significant functions of semenogelin in fertilization. This review can open up advanced proteomics research on semenogelin towards unravelling molecular mechanisms in fertilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sundaram Vickram
- Department of Biotechnology, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Thandalam, Chennai 602 105, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Karunakaran Rohini
- Unit of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, AIMST University, Semeling, Bedong 08100, Kedah, Malaysia
| | - Krishnan Anbarasu
- Department of Bioinformatics, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Thandalam, Chennai 602 105, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Nibedita Dey
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Integrative Physiology, Institute of Biotechnology, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Thandalam, Chennai 602 105, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Palanivelu Jeyanthi
- Department of Biotechnology, Vel Tech Rangarajan Dr. Sagunthala R&D Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai 600 062, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Sundaram Thanigaivel
- Department of Biotechnology, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Thandalam, Chennai 602 105, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Praveen Kumar Issac
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Integrative Physiology, Institute of Biotechnology, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Thandalam, Chennai 602 105, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Jesu Arockiaraj
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Science and Humanities, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, 603 203 Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
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Xu J, He M, Wang W, Hou J, Chen X, Ding X, Zhang J. siRNA-mediated Eppin testicular silencing causes changes in sperm motility and calcium currents in mice. Reprod Biol 2021; 21:100485. [PMID: 33607572 DOI: 10.1016/j.repbio.2021.100485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Revised: 12/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/30/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Epididymal protease inhibitor (EPPIN) is differentially expressed in the reproductive tissues (such as testicles, outlet tubes, epididymis, vas deferens, and seminal vesicles). Its critical role in sperm function and male reproduction has shed light on EPPIN as a candidate target for male contraceptive vaccines. In this study, we endeavored to further reveal the mechanism through which EPPIN exerts its function. We created a mouse model of reduced Eppin expression by microinjecting small interfering RNA targeting Eppin expression into seminiferous tubules of mice. This mouse model was then used to explore the effects of low Eppin expression on sperm function, which was assessed by Computer Assisted Semen Analysis and patch clamp recording of T-type Ca2+ current in spermatogenic cells. We found that the sperm motility significantly declined when Eppin was downregulated. Further investigation demonstrated that Eppin downregulation significantly affected T-type Ca2+ currents and messenger RNA expression of three subtypes of T-type Ca2+ channels in spermatogenic cells. These findings indicate that low Eppin gene expression induces decreased T-type Ca2+ currents and mRNA expression, which in turn results in the reduced sperm motility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Xu
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Mengting He
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jiaojiao Hou
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyi Chen
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Xinliang Ding
- Department of Public Health, Wuxi Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuxi, China.
| | - Jie Zhang
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Preventive and Translational Medicine for Geriatric Diseases, School of Public Health, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
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Shibahara H, Wakimoto Y, Fukui A, Hasegawa A. Anti‐sperm antibodies and reproductive failures. Am J Reprod Immunol 2020; 85:e13337. [DOI: 10.1111/aji.13337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Revised: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Hiroaki Shibahara
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Hyogo College of Medicine Nishinomiya Japan
| | - Yu Wakimoto
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Hyogo College of Medicine Nishinomiya Japan
| | - Atsushi Fukui
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Hyogo College of Medicine Nishinomiya Japan
| | - Akiko Hasegawa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Hyogo College of Medicine Nishinomiya Japan
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Anamthathmakula P, Winuthayanon W. Mechanism of semen liquefaction and its potential for a novel non-hormonal contraception†. Biol Reprod 2020; 103:411-426. [PMID: 32529252 PMCID: PMC7523691 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioaa075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Revised: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Semen liquefaction is a proteolytic process where a gel-like ejaculated semen becomes watery due to the enzymatic activity of prostate-derived serine proteases in the female reproductive tract. The liquefaction process is crucial for the sperm to gain their motility and successful transport to the fertilization site in Fallopian tubes (or oviducts in animals). Hyperviscous semen or failure in liquefaction is one of the causes of male infertility. Therefore, the biochemical inhibition of serine proteases in the female reproductive tract after ejaculation is a prime target for novel contraceptive development. Herein, we will discuss protein components in the ejaculates responsible for semen liquefaction and any developments of contraceptive methods in the past that involve the liquefaction process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prashanth Anamthathmakula
- School of Molecular Biosciences, Center for Reproductive Biology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Wipawee Winuthayanon
- School of Molecular Biosciences, Center for Reproductive Biology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
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Esmailnejad A, Nikahval B, Mogheiseh A, Karampour R, Karami S. The detection of canine anti-sperm antibody following parenteral immunization of bitches against homogenized whole sperm. Basic Clin Androl 2020; 30:1. [PMID: 31993202 PMCID: PMC6977277 DOI: 10.1186/s12610-020-0100-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2019] [Accepted: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Backgrounds The development of a canine-specific method of immunocontraception is one of the non-invasive controlling strategies for humanely decreasing the dog population. This study was aimed to investigate the potential of whole sperm in stimulating the immune system and producing specific anti-sperm antibodies (ASAs) in female dogs. Mature, mixed-breed bitches were subcutaneously immunized with high (200 × 106 cells/mL) and low (100 × 106 cells/mL) doses of sperm vaccine, emulsified with Freund’s adjuvants. Booster immunizations were given at weeks 1, 2, 4, and 6, and serum samples were collected at days 0, 14, 28, 42, 63, and 84 prior to each immunization. Reproductive tract samples, including vaginal and uterine lavages, were also collected by flushing each section with sterile PBS at the end of the experiment. Canine anti-sperm antibody titer and specificity in sera and genital secretions were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. Results Specific anti-sperm antibodies were detected in the serum of both high and low dose groups and were significantly higher than those observed in the controls. A high dose of sperm induced elevated immune responses over the low dose antigen. Immunization with a high dose of sperm increased the level of ASAs in the uterine secretions and vaginal secretions significantly. Higher ASAs were observed to have transduced to the uterine lumen compared to the vagina. Conclusions Based on the results obtained in this study, parenteral immunization with whole sperm can induce a high level of specific antibodies in the serum and genital secretions of female dogs and the response would be dose-dependent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atefeh Esmailnejad
- 1Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, P.O.Box: 7144169155, Shiraz, Fars Iran
| | - Behrooz Nikahval
- 2Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Fars Iran
| | - Asghar Mogheiseh
- 2Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Fars Iran
| | - Romina Karampour
- 2Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Fars Iran
| | - Sanaz Karami
- 2Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Fars Iran
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Wu K, Mei C, Chen Y, Guo L, Yu Y, Huang D. C-type natriuretic peptide regulates sperm capacitation by the cGMP/PKG signalling pathway via Ca 2+ influx and tyrosine phosphorylation. Reprod Biomed Online 2019; 38:289-299. [PMID: 30655075 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2018.11.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2018] [Revised: 11/21/2018] [Accepted: 11/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
RESEARCH QUESTION What is the effect of C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) on human sperm capacitation in vitro and what is the mechanism of this effect? DESIGN CNP/NPR-B expression in the female rat genital tract was examined by immunohistochemistry and western blot assay, and then the role of CNP in human sperm capacitation was determined. The signal transduction pathway of CNP in the process was determined to elucidate the regulation mechanism of CNP by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and flow cytometry. RESULTS Both CNP and NPR-B were expressed in the genital tract of female rats, especially in the mucosa epithelium cell of the oviduct; the CNP level in the rat oviduct was higher than that in the cervix. Both CNP and NPR-B level in the rat oviduct varied during the oestrus cycle, maximal expression being observed at proestrus. Furthermore, intracellular cGMP level in spermatozoa was significantly enhanced by CNP (P < 0.01). PKG activity was detected in the spermatozoa, and it can be activated by the CNP and 8-Br-cGMP (cGMP analogue). The PKG inhibitor KT5823 inhibited the effect of CNP on sperm hyperactivation and the acrosome reaction. Finally, Ca2+ and tyrosine phosphorylation levels in spermatozoa were markedly improved by CNP and 8-Br-cGMP but significantly inhibited by the addition of KT5823 (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS CNP secreted by the female genital tract might bind to NPR-B on the spermatozoa. It successively stimulated intracellular cGMP/PKG signalling, increased Ca2+ and tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins, promoted hyperactivation and induced the acrosome reaction, which ultimately facilitated sperm capacitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kejia Wu
- Family Planning Research Institute, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; Zhongnan Hospital, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Chunlei Mei
- Family Planning Research Institute, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Yao Chen
- Family Planning Research Institute, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; Reproductive Medicine Centre of Jingzhou Central Hospital, Jingzhou 434000, China
| | - Lidan Guo
- Family Planning Research Institute, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Yuejin Yu
- Family Planning Research Institute, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Donghui Huang
- Family Planning Research Institute, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China.
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Zhang P, Jiang W, Luo N, Zhu W, Fan L. IQ motif containing D (IQCD), a new acrosomal protein involved in the acrosome reaction and fertilisation. Reprod Fertil Dev 2019; 31:898-914. [DOI: 10.1071/rd18416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2018] [Accepted: 12/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The acrosome is single, large, dense-core secretory granule overlying the nucleus of most mammalian spermatozoa. Its exocytosis, the acrosome reaction, is a crucial event during fertilisation. In this study we identified a new acrosome-associated gene, namely IQ motif containing D (IQCD), expressed nearly in multiple tissues with highest expression levels in the testis. In mouse testis, Iqcd transcript accumulated from Postnatal Day (PND) 1 to adulthood. However, expression of IQCD protein at the testicular development stage started primarily from PND 18 and increased in an age-dependent manner until plateauing in adulthood. IQCD was primarily accumulated in the acrosome area of round and elongating spermatids within seminiferous tubules of the testes during the late stage of spermiogenesis; this immunolocalisation pattern is similar in mice and humans. IQCD levels in spermatozoa were significantly lower in IVF patients with total fertilisation failure or a low fertilisation rate than in healthy men. Anti-IQCD antibody significantly inhibited the acrosome reaction and slightly reduced protein tyrosine phosphorylation levels in human spermatozoa, but specifically blocked murine IVF. IQCD interacted with mammalian homolog of C. elegans uncoordinated gene 13 (Munc13) in spermatozoa and may participate in acrosome exocytosis. In conclusion, this study identified a new acrosomal protein, namely IQCD, which is involved in fertilisation and the acrosome reaction.
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8
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Immunization against lysozyme-like proteins affect sperm function and fertility in the rat. J Reprod Immunol 2016; 118:100-108. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2016.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2016] [Revised: 10/22/2016] [Accepted: 11/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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9
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Effect of immunization against prostate- and testis-expressed (PATE) proteins on sperm function and fecundity in the rat. J Reprod Immunol 2015; 110:117-29. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2015.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2014] [Revised: 02/18/2015] [Accepted: 02/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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10
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Li K, Xue Y, Chen A, Jiang Y, Xie H, Shi Q, Zhang S, Ni Y. Heat shock protein 90 has roles in intracellular calcium homeostasis, protein tyrosine phosphorylation regulation, and progesterone-responsive sperm function in human sperm. PLoS One 2014; 9:e115841. [PMID: 25541943 PMCID: PMC4277372 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0115841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2014] [Accepted: 11/29/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Heat shock protein 90 plays critical roles in client protein maturation, signal transduction, protein folding and degradation, and morphological evolution; however, its function in human sperm is not fully understood. Therefore, our objective in this study was to elucidate the mechanism by which heat shock protein 90 exerts its effects on human sperm function. By performing indirect immunofluorescence staining, we found that heat shock protein 90 was localized primarily in the neck, midpiece, and tail regions of human sperm, and that its expression increased with increasing incubation time under capacitation conditions. Geldanamycin, a specific inhibitor of heat shock protein 90, was shown to inhibit this increase in heat shock protein 90 expression in western blotting analyses. Using a multifunctional microplate reader to examine Fluo-3 AM-loaded sperm, we observed for the first time that inhibition of heat shock protein 90 by using geldanamycin significantly decreased intracellular calcium concentrations during capacitation. Moreover, western blot analysis showed that geldanamycin enhanced tyrosine phosphorylation of several proteins, including heat shock protein 90, in a dose-dependent manner. The effects of geldanamycin on human sperm function in the absence or presence of progesterone was evaluated by performing chlortetracycline staining and by using a computer-assisted sperm analyzer. We found that geldanamycin alone did not affect sperm capacitation, hyperactivation, and motility, but did so in the presence of progesterone. Taken together, these data suggest that heat shock protein 90, which increases in expression in human sperm during capacitation, has roles in intracellular calcium homeostasis, protein tyrosine phosphorylation regulation, and progesterone-stimulated sperm function. In this study, we provide new insights into the roles of heat shock protein 90 in sperm function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Li
- Department of Reproductive Physiology, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310013, China
| | - Yamei Xue
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310016, China
| | - Aijun Chen
- Department of Reproductive Physiology, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310013, China
| | - Youfang Jiang
- Department of Reproductive Physiology, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310013, China
| | - Haifeng Xie
- Department of Reproductive Physiology, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310013, China
| | - Qixian Shi
- Department of Reproductive Physiology, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310013, China
| | - Songying Zhang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310016, China
- * E-mail: (SZ); (YN)
| | - Ya Ni
- Department of Reproductive Physiology, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310013, China
- * E-mail: (SZ); (YN)
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Tang M, Liu BJ, Wang SQ, Xu Y, Han P, Li PC, Wang ZJ, Song NH, Zhang W, Yin CJ. The role of mitochondrial aconitate (ACO2) in human sperm motility. Syst Biol Reprod Med 2014; 60:251-6. [DOI: 10.3109/19396368.2014.915360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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12
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Ashrafzadeh A, Karsani SA, Nathan S. Mammalian sperm fertility related proteins. Int J Med Sci 2013; 10:1649-57. [PMID: 24151436 PMCID: PMC3804790 DOI: 10.7150/ijms.6395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2013] [Accepted: 07/23/2013] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Infertility is an important aspect of human and animal reproduction and still presents with much etiological ambiguity. As fifty percent of infertility is related to the male partner, molecular investigations on sperm and seminal plasma can lead to new knowledge on male infertility. Several comparisons between fertile and infertile human and other species sperm proteome have shown the existence of potential fertility markers. These proteins have been categorized into energy related, structural and other functional proteins which play a major role in sperm motility, capacitation and sperm-oocyte binding. The data from these studies show the impact of sperm proteome studies on identifying different valuable markers for fertility screening. In this article, we review recent development in unraveling sperm fertility related proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Ashrafzadeh
- 1. School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University Kebangsaan Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Saiful Anuar Karsani
- 2. Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Sheila Nathan
- 1. School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University Kebangsaan Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia
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Zalazar L, Saez Lancellotti TE, Clementi M, Lombardo C, Lamattina L, De Castro R, Fornés MW, Cesari A. SPINK3 modulates mouse sperm physiology through the reduction of nitric oxide level independently of its trypsin inhibitory activity. Reproduction 2012; 143:281-95. [DOI: 10.1530/rep-11-0107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Serine protease inhibitor Kazal-type (SPINK3)/P12/PSTI-II is a small secretory protein from mouse seminal vesicle which contains a KAZAL domain and shows calcium (Ca2+)-transport inhibitory (caltrin) activity. This molecule was obtained as a recombinant protein and its effect on capacitated sperm cells was examined. SPINK3 inhibited trypsin activityin vitrowhile the fusion protein GST-SPINK3 had no effect on this enzyme activity. The inactive GST-SPINK3 significantly reduced the percentage of spermatozoa positively stained for nitric oxide (NO) with the specific probe DAF-FM DA and NO concentration measured by Griess method in capacitated mouse sperm; the same effect was observed when sperm were capacitated under low Ca2+concentration, using either intracellular (BAPTA-AM) or extracellular Ca2+(EDTA) chelators. The percentage of sperm showing spontaneous and progesterone-induced acrosomal reaction was significantly lower in the presence of GST-SPINK3 compared to untreated capacitated spermatozoa. Interestingly, this decrease was overcome by the exogenous addition of the NO donors, sodium nitroprusside (SNP), andS-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO). Phosphorylation of sperm proteins in tyrosine residues was partially affected by GST-SPINK3, however, only GSNO was able to reverse this effect. Sperm progressive motility was not significantly diminished by GST-SPINK3 or BAPTA-AM but enhanced by the addition of SNP. This is the first report that demonstrates that SPINK3 modulates sperm physiology through a downstream reduction of endogenous NO concentration and independently of SPINK3 trypsin inhibitory activity.
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14
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Preparation and immunogenicity of tag-free recombinant human eppin. Asian J Androl 2011; 13:889-94. [PMID: 21892195 DOI: 10.1038/aja.2011.89] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Human epididymal protease inhibitor (eppin) may be effective as a male contraceptive vaccine. In a number of studies, eppin with an engineered His(6)-tag has been produced using prokaryotic expression systems. For production of pharmaceutical-grade proteins for human use, however, the His(6)-tag must be removed. This study describes a method for producing recombinant human eppin without a His(6)-tag. We constructed plasmid pET28a (+)-His(6)-tobacco etch virus (TEV)-eppin for expression in Escherichia coli. After purification and refolding, the fusion protein His(6)-TEV-eppin was digested with TEV protease to remove the His(6)-tag and was further purified by NTA-Ni(2+) affinity chromatography. Using this procedure, 2 mg of eppin without a His(6)-tag was isolated from 1 l of culture with a purity of >95%. The immunogenicity of the eppin was characterized using male Balb/c mice.
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15
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Paasch U, Heidenreich F, Pursche T, Kuhlisch E, Kettner K, Grunewald S, Kratzsch J, Dittmar G, Glander HJ, Hoflack B, Kriegel TM. Identification of increased amounts of eppin protein complex components in sperm cells of diabetic and obese individuals by difference gel electrophoresis. Mol Cell Proteomics 2011; 10:M110.007187. [PMID: 21525168 DOI: 10.1074/mcp.m110.007187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Metabolic disorders like diabetes mellitus and obesity may compromise the fertility of men and women. To unveil disease-associated proteomic changes potentially affecting male fertility, the proteomes of sperm cells from type-1 diabetic, type-2 diabetic, non-diabetic obese and clinically healthy individuals were comparatively analyzed by difference gel electrophoresis. The adaptation of a general protein extraction procedure to the solubilization of proteins from sperm cells allowed for the resolution of 3187 fluorescent spots in the difference gel electrophoresis image of the master gel, which contained the entirety of solubilized sperm proteins. Comparison of the pathological and reference proteomes by applying an average abundance ratio setting of 1.6 and a p ≤ 0.05 criterion resulted in the identification of 79 fluorescent spots containing proteins that were present at significantly changed levels in the sperm cells. Biometric evaluation of the fluorescence data followed by mass spectrometric protein identification revealed altered levels of 12, 71, and 13 protein species in the proteomes of the type-1 diabetic, type-2 diabetic, and non-diabetic obese patients, respectively, with considerably enhanced amounts of the same set of one molecular form of semenogelin-1, one form of clusterin, and two forms of lactotransferrin in each group of pathologic samples. Remarkably, β-galactosidase-1-like protein was the only protein that was detected at decreased levels in all three pathologic situations. The former three proteins are part of the eppin (epididymal proteinase inhibitor) protein complex, which is thought to fulfill fertilization-related functions, such as ejaculate sperm protection, motility regulation and gain of competence for acrosome reaction, whereas the putative role of the latter protein to function as a glycosyl hydrolase during sperm maturation remains to be explored at the protein/enzyme level. The strikingly similar differences detected in the three groups of pathological sperm proteomes reflect a disease-associated enhanced formation of predominantly proteolytically modified forms of three eppin protein complex components, possibly as a response to enduring hyperglycemia and enhanced oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uwe Paasch
- University of Leipzig, Medical Faculty, Department of Dermatology, Training Center of the European Academy of Andrology, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany.
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Liu B, Wang P, Wang Z, Zhang W. The use of anti-VDAC2 antibody for the combined assessment of human sperm acrosome integrity and ionophore A23187-induced acrosome reaction. PLoS One 2011; 6:e16985. [PMID: 21347391 PMCID: PMC3036732 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0016985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2010] [Accepted: 01/18/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC) is mainly located in the mitochondrial outer membrane and participates in many biological processes. In mammals, three VDAC subtypes (VDAC1, 2 and 3) have been identified. Although VDAC has been extensively studied in various tissues and cells, there is little knowledge about the distribution and function of VDAC in male mammalian reproductive system. Several studies have demonstrated that VDAC exists in mammalian spermatozoa and is implicated in spermatogenesis, sperm maturation, motility and fertilization. However, there is no knowledge about the respective localization and function of three VDAC subtypes in human spermatozoa. In this study, we focused on the presence of VDAC2 in human spermatozoa and its possible role in the acrosomal integrity and acrosome reaction using specific anti-VDAC2 monoclonal antibody for the first time. The results exhibited that native VDAC2 existed in the membrane components of human spermatozoa. The co-incubation of spermatozoa with anti-VDAC2 antibody did not affect the acrosomal integrity and acrosome reaction, but inhibited ionophore A23187-induced intracellular Ca2+ increase. Our study suggested that VDAC2 was located in the acrosomal membrane or plasma membrane of human spermatozoa, and played putative roles in sperm functions through mediating Ca2+ transmembrane transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianjiang Liu
- Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Peng Wang
- Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zengjun Wang
- Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- * E-mail: (WZ); (ZW)
| | - Wei Zhang
- Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- * E-mail: (WZ); (ZW)
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