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Panel of monoclonal antibodies – alternative tool For monitoring of sperm–zona pellucida receptors localization and identification
Zigo, Michal ; Dorosh, Andriy ; Pohlová, Alžběta ; Jonáková, Věra ; Šulc, Miroslav ; Maňásková-Postlerová, Pavla
Primary binding of the sperm to the zona pellucida (ZP) is one of the many steps necessary for successful fertilization in all sexually reproducing species. Sperm bind ZP by means of membrane receptors which recognize carbohydrate moieties on ZP glycoproteins according to a well-precised sequential process. Primary-binding receptors are localized throughout the acrosomal region of the sperm surface of which many have been disclosed in various mammals. For the monitoring sperm-zona pellucida receptors in terms of localization and characterization - panel of monoclonal antibodies against proteins from the sperm surface was prepared. Antibodies were screened by immunofluorescence and Western blotting for protein localizations and competence of antibodies, respectively. Antibodies recognizing proteins localized on the sperm head and simultaneously detected by Western blot were further studied by means of immunolocalization in reproductive tissues and fluids, binding to ZP, immunoprecipitation and protein identification using MS analysis. Out of 17 prepared antibodies, 8 antibodies were simultaneously recognizing proteins localized on the sperm head and detecting proteins of interest by Western blotting. Further only 3 antibodies recognized proteins which also coincided in binding to ZP. These 3 antibodies were used for immunoprecipitation, and further protein identification of immunoprecipitates revealed that the antibodies distinguish acrosin precursor, RAB2A protein, and lactadherin P47. Acrosin and lactadherin P47 have been already detected on the sperm surface and their physiological functions in reproduction have been proposed. To our knowledge, this is the first time RAB2A has been found on the surface of sperm and its physiological function in the process of fertilization remains undisclosed.
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Expression of estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) In murine male reproductive tract and sperm
Dostálová, Pavla ; Děd, Lukáš ; Dorosh, Andriy ; Elzeinová, Fatima ; Pěknicová, Jana
Estrogens are steroid hormones that play an important role in reproduction of both sexes. In male, the main source of estrogens are testes where both somatic and germ cells are responsible for testosteron conversion to estrogens. Estrogens are involved in control of spermatogenesis, fluid reabsorption in rete testis and epididymis, and in later maturation steps that sperm undergo in female genital tract (capacitation, acrosome reaction). Generally, estrogen action is mediated through binding to estrogen receptors (ERs) which than lead to classical genomic or rapid non-genomic signaling. Nowadays, two classical estrogen receptors are known – ERα and ERβ. ERβ is a predominant variant in testes, while ERα is more abundant in rete testis and initial segment of epididymis. In addition to classical ERs, several splice variants that can differ in their ligand- or DNA-binding properties were detected in different tissues and cell lines. ERs mostly work as a dimer (homo- and hetero-) and splice variants often „only“ modulate function of classical full-length ERs. Therefore, estrogen action seems to be a very complex. To contribute to understanding of estrogen action in male, we detected ERβ and its potential splice variants in mice testis, epididymis and sperm. According to our results, two variants are present in all analysed tissues and cells. These variants differ in one exon in ligand binding domain which leads to different affinity for estrogens. To analyse these variants also at a protein level, we prepared specific monoclonal antibodies recognizing particular variant of ERβ. Both atibodies detected band(s) in protein extracts from testes or epididymis. Taking together, there are at least two variants of ERβ in mice testes, epididymis and sperm and it seems that both variants are similar in abundance within the same organ or sperm.
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Enzymatic and inhibiting activity in boar epididymal fluid
Davidová, Nina ; Ren, Š. ; Liberda, J. ; Jonáková, Věra ; Maňásková-Postlerová, Pavla
Sperm maturation, represents a key step in the reproduction process. Spermatozoa, particularly the plasma membrane, are exposed to epididymal fluid (EF) components representing the natural environment essential for their post-testicular maturation. Changes in the sperm membrane proteins are influenced by proteolytic and glycosidic enzymes present in the EF. Accordingly, the occurrence of inhibitors in this reproductive organ is very important for the regulation of sperm membrane protein processing. In present study, we monitored protease and glycosidase activities, and inhibitors of metallo- and serine proteinases in boar EF. Additionally, we studied acrosin inhibitor in fluid, spermatozoa and tissue along the epididymis. We chromatographically separated boar EF into several fractions. These fractions were subjected to SDS-electrophoresis and the separated proteins were either studied by zymographic methods or transferred to nitrocellulose membranes for detection of metallo- and serine proteinases and their inhibitors, and acrosin inhibitor by specific antibody, respectively. Acrosin inhibitor was monitored also in the sperm and tissue of the boar epididymis. In boar epididymal fluid, several metallo- and serine proteinases with different molecular masses, and inhibitors of metalloproteinase MMP-9 and acrosin were found. We measured strong activity of mannosidase in this fluid. Using specific antibody, we registered the increasing signal of acrosin inhibitor from caput to cauda epididymis in the spermatozoa, fluid and also tissue. Proteinases and their inhibitors in reproductive fluids may play a significant role in reproduction processes. Especially, acrosin inhibitor in the reproductive tract inactivates prematurely released sperm acrosin and protects spermatozoa and reproductive epithelium against proteolytic degradation. High mannosidase activity in boar EF suggests evident role of mannose structures in the sperm interaction during reproductive events.
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Detection of mannosidase in the porcine urogenital tract – study of the sperm releasing from oviductal reservoir
Maňásková, Pavla ; Ren, Š. ; Jelínková, Jitka ; Krejčová, T. ; Liberda, J.
One of the most important steps of reproduction process is the meeting of sperm with oocyte. Binding of sperm with oviductal cells maintains spermatozoa in fertile state. The beginning of sperm capacitation is associated with oocyte ovulation resulting in the sperm release from oviductal reservoir. Hormonal changes after ovulation probably induce distinct oviductal secretion leading to disruption of the sperm protein binding with oviductal saccharide moieties. Another eventuality of the sperm releasing from oviductal reservoir is a change of oviductal environment caused by components of follicular fluid transported with oocyte after ovulation. In the pig, previous studies indicate lectin-type interaction of sperm protein receptors by mannose structures on the surface of oviductal cells. Our study was focused on enzymatic activity of mannosidase and its detection in porcine oviduct (fluid and tissue) and follicular fluid during hormonal cycle. In fluid from follicles in early and late hormonal stages, we measured mannosidase activity by colorimetric methods at physiological and acidic pH. Expression of secreted mannosidase was studied by specific antibody in follicular and oviductal fluids, and oviductal tissues during hormonal cycle. Clearly increased enzymatic activity of secreted mannosidase was found as specific-species in porcine fluid from follicles in late stage of hormonal cycle. On the other hand, detection of secreted mannosidase in follicular fluid as well as in oviductal fluid did not shown any significant differences during hormonal cycle. In oviductal isthmic tissue, we detected decreased protein expression of secreted mannosidase at middle and late follicular phases. These results suggest possible role of follicular mannosidase rather than oviductal one in the sperm releasing from oviductal reservoir in the pig. The additional study of the gene expression of secreted form of mannosidase in oviductal tissue during hormonal cycle should be necessary.
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Effect of exposure to bisphenol A on gene expression in the testicular tissue in male mice
Dorosh, Andriy ; Elzeinová, Fatima ; Žatecká, Eva ; Kubátová, Alena ; Pěknicová, Jana
Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Biotechnology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v.v.i., Prague, Czech Republic Bisphenol A (BPA) is a synthetic, endocrine-disrupting compound able to directly bind estrogen receptors. Free BPA has been detected in human samples indicating that humans are internally exposed to BPA. The purpose of this study was to analyse the effect of BPA on the male reproductive system and testicular gene expression in germ cells. We studied the influence of long-term low concentration BPA exposition on male fertility in vivo in a two-generation study in C57BL/6 mouse strain. In this work, BPA was added with water at two environmentally relevant concentrations: 0, 4 and 4 µg/l. We measured the reproductive organs weight and sperm cells morphology and quality. Expression of genes involved in endocrine regulation and energy metabolism in testis was analysed after BPA exposure. Next, the epigenetic mechanisms of gene expression and regulation during the germ cell differentiation and effect of BPA will be analysed.
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The effect of tetrabromobisphenol a on protamination and DNA quality of mouse sperm
Žatecká, Eva ; Castillo, J. ; Elzeinová, Fatima ; Kubátová, Alena ; Děd, Lukáš ; Pěknicová, Jana ; Oliva, R.
Tetrabromobisphenol (TBBPA) is a widely used brominated flame retardant, currently its consumption is 210,000 tons / year and is still growing. In our previous multigenerational in vivo study we have demonstrated that TBBPA is able to induce apoptosis of testicular cells and changes in the expression of genes important for proper spermatogenesis. However the potential effect of TBBPA on epidydimal spermatozoa had not yet been investigated. Therefore, we performed further study to evaluate the effect of on sperm DNA integrity and on the protamines as the major nuclear proteins. C57Bl/6J mice pups (n=10) were exposed to TBBPA (experimental group) during the gestation, lactation, pre-pubertal and pubertal periods up to the age of 70 days and compared control mice pups (n= 10) which were not exposed. Our results demonstrate that TBBPA treatment results in a significantly decreased P1/P2 ratio, increased total protamine/DNA ratio and increased DNA fragmentation observed between TBBPA and control mice, respectively. Protamines have recently been connected to the epigenetic marking of sperm chromatin in human and mouse spermatozoa. Thus, our findings suggest that TBBPA exposure, in addition to result in increased sperm DNA damage, may also alter the epigenetic marking of sperm chromatin.
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Flow cytometry (FCM) sperm assessment In normozoospermic and asthenozoospermic men using monoclonal antibodies against sperm proteins
Čapková, Jana ; Kubátová, Alena ; Děd, Lukáš ; Teplá, O. ; Pěknicová, Jana
Recent studies have shown that infertility affects an estimated 15% of all couples. Male infertility is the primary or contributing cause in 60% of these cases. Consequently, application of methods of assisted reproduction is increasing. These methods would benefit from extended evaluation of the sperm quality. For this purpose, we analyzed sperm proteins in men with normal spermiograms and with asthenozoospermia. Ejaculates of both groups were tested with a set of well-characterized monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) to human sperm. No statistically significant differences were found between normospermics and asthenospermics in the expression of sperm surface proteins clusterin, evaluated by Hs-3 MoAb, and semenogelin, evaluated by Hs-9 MoAb. On the other hand, flow cytometry revealed quantitative differences between normozoospermic and asthenozoospermic men in GAPDHS (glyceraldehyde phosphate dehydrogenase human sperm-specific glycolytic enzyme), evaluated by Hs-8 MoAb, VCP (valosin-containing protein), detected with Hs-14 MoAb, and PRKAR2A (cAMP-dependent protein kinase type II – alpha regulatory subunit) detected by MoAb Hs-36. Asthenozoospermic men displayed significantly reduced expression of intra-acrosomal proteins with a likely decrease in sperm quality, and thus a negative impact on successful reproduction.
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METHODICAL RECOMMENDATION FOR INSTITUTES OF THE AS CR CONCERNING REPROTING OF REAL ELIGIBLE INDIRECT COSTS OF THE PROJECT
Škoda, Jan ; Starosta, Karel
The aim of the Methodical Recommendation is to create possible common principles for institutes of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic (AS CR) concerning the allocation of indirect costs to projects, considering mainly the rules of fund providers requesting reporting of real costs via full cost methodology. Proposed methodology is based on usual management and accounting practices of institutes of AS CR and lie in principles of maximum simplicity and effectiveness. It should result in minimum increase of real indirect costs caused by application of such methodology, it enables closing of economic year on time and also reporting of necessary data to fund providers.
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