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Sperm protein profiles of different mammalian species
Pohlová, Alžběta ; Zigo, Michal ; Jonáková, Věra ; Postlerová, Pavla
Proteins are a substantial equipment of the spermatic cell; therefore, the characterization of sperm proteins is crucial for explanation of molecular mechanisms in the reproduction process. We isolated sperm proteins from different mammalian species - pig, bull, human, mouse, dog and cat. Extracted proteins were separated by SDS-electrophoresis and protein/glycoprotein profiles from epididymal or ejaculated sperm were compared. Additionally, we tested cross-reactivity of antibodies prepared to sperm boar proteins on spermatozoa of other mammalian species using immunofluorescent technique. Our future plan is to compare the protein profiles of sperm during their functional development (epididymal, ejaculated, capacitated) in various mammalian species and identify species-specific sperm proteins with zona pellucida binding activity.
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Expression of selected proteins in sperm in men with normal and pathological spermiograms using monoclonal antibodies
Pěknicová, Jana ; Čapková, Jana ; Dorosh, Andriy ; Margaryan, Hasmik ; Kubátová, Alena ; Děd, Lukáš
Recent studies show that infertility in human populations it affects an estimated 15% of couples of reproductive age. Male infertility is the primary cause for 60% of these cases. For these reasons, we analyzed the acrosomal and sperm surface proteins in men with normal and pathological spermiograms. We found that intra-acrosome proteins: TERA (Transitional endoplasmic reticulum ATPase), GAPDHS (Sperm Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase), and PRKAR2A (C-AMP-dependent protein kinase II, PRKAR2A), which can be identified using our monoclonal antibodies, are different express in healthy men and men with astenozoospermia (with reduced sperm motility), and with a significantly reduced expression in the astenozoospermia. These proteins are involved in energy metabolism and apoptosis of the cells, and some of them in the sperm-egg interaction; therefore, they have an important role in reproduction. On the other hand, there were no statistically significant differences in the expression of surface proteins (Appolipoprotein J (Clusterin) and Semenogelin). Our findings show that astenozoospermia as a complex disorder of the semen is often combined with other pathological conditions that are not diagnosed by the semen analysis. Therefore monoclonal antibodies are so suitable instrument for the detection of proteins associated with the pathology of the sperm in the semen with low sperm motility. In general, monoclonal antibodies against the sperm proteins are an appropriate tool to detect sperm quality in reproductive medicine.
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Possible role of spermatogenic protein glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDHS) in mammalian sperm
Margaryan, Hasmik ; Dorosh, Andriy ; Čapková, Jana ; Postlerová, Pavla ; Philimonenko, Anatoly ; Hozák, Pavel ; Pěknicová, Jana
Sperm proteins are important for the structure and function of these specific, highly differentiated cells. Certain of these proteins play a role in sperm-egg recognition during primary or secondary binding at zona pellucida glycoprotein matrix. The aim of this study was to characterize the acrosomal sperm protein recognized by a monoclonal antibody (MoAb) Hs-8, prepared in our laboratory by immunization of BALB/c mice with human ejaculated sperm, and to test the possible role of this protein in gamete interaction. MoAb Hs-8 specifically labelled a 45 kDa protein from the sperm extract in the immunoblotting test. Sequence analysis identified this Hs-8 protein as GAPDHS. In order to perform a control tests, a commercial mouse anti-GAPDHS MoAb was applied. Both antibodies showed similar staining patterns using immunofluorescence labelling, transmission electron microscopy and immunoblot analysis. Moreover, both Hs-8 and commercial anti-GAPDHS antibodies blocked the secondary sperm-zona pellucida binding. Generally, GAPDHS was considered mainly as sperm-specific glycolytic enzyme involved in energy production during spermatogenesis and sperm motility and its role in the sperm head was unknown. In this study, we confirmed the potential additional role of GAPDHS as a binding protein that is involved in the sperm-zona pellucida interaction.
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Fluorescent analysis of the differential protein expression in normozoospermic and asthenozoospermic sperm samples
Děd, Lukáš ; Čapková, Jana ; Kubátová, Alena ; Teplá, O. ; Pěknicová, Jana
Asthenozoospermia is one of the main seminal pathologies underlying male infertility. Previous proteomic studies have demonstrated the significant differences in the protein profiles between normozoospermic and asthenozoospermic sperm samples. Since these studies were primarily focused on the identification of differentially expressed proteins by mass spectrometry, we aimed to evaluate the ability of our diagnostic antibodies to detect the differential expression of selected protein markers by fluorescent microscopy and flow cytometry techniques. Therefore, we analyzed sperm samples from 30 men with normal and 30 men with astheno spermiograms, average by the panel of our diagnostic anti-human sperm (Hs) antibodies. Fluorescent microscopy and flow cytometry analysis revealed quantitative differences in the protein abundances between normo and astheno sperm samples, namely, in GAPDHs, evaluated with Hs-8 MoAb, VCP, evaluated with Hs-14 MoAb, and ATP synthase, evaluated with MoAb Hs-36. From the methodological point of view, we observed very high correlation between the data obtained by fluorescent microscopy and flow cytometry techniques and therefore both methods are useful for evaluation of protein differences associated with asthenozoospermia. From the clinical point of view, we observed the strong association of the low sperm motility in the sample with the expression of proteins, playing an important role in sperm energy metabolism (expected), but also with the expression of all tested intra-acrosomal proteins. These findings further demonstrate asthenozoospermia as a complex semen disorder frequently associated with other semen pathologies, which are not diagnosed by basic semen analysis, and the possibility to use monoclonal antibodies as a tool for diagnosis of protein associated sperm pathologies in the semen with the low sperm motility.
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Effect of diabetes mellitus on reproductive parameters in mice
Margaryan, Hasmik ; Elzeinová, Fatima ; Kubátová, Alena ; Strolená, Eva ; Pěknicová, Jana
The decrease in population fertility has become a major concern in many developed countries. Recent studies show that infertility is affecting an estimated 15% of all couples (World Health Organization, WHO, 2010). Male infertility is the primary or contributing cause in 60% of cases. Male infertility is caused by a number of factors, such as genetic background, various environmental factors and disease. Diabetes mellitus (DM), a serious health problem on its own, is also suspected to be a contributing factor to male infertility. The aim of this project was to analyze the cellular, molecular and genetic effects of diabetic environment on spermatogenesis and sperm quality and to determine the impact of DM on the in vivo reproduction, using the mouse model (Mus musculus) inbred FVB. Diabetes was induced using streptozotocin. We used our knowledge and tools (unique monoclonal antibodies developed by our group) to determine the status of reproductive organs, anogenital distance, and the quality of sperms. Genetic analysis was performed by a quantitative Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR). We tested selected genes which are expressed in testicular tissue and thus can influence process of spermatogenesis and consequently the sperm quality. Our preliminary data strongly suggest that DM impairs male fertility. We have found significant changes in the body and reproductive organ weight of mice with DM. We have identified qualitative and quantitative changes in the expression of proteins in epididymal fluid and sperms. We have also detected an increased number of apoptotic cells in sperm of diabetic mice compared to the control group. To our knowledge, there is no study assessing the correlation between DM and “unexplained infertility”. In view of this, it is essential to analyze the effects of DM on male fertility, sperm quality, and reproduction parameters.
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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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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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Povrchové proteiny spermie: původ, biochemické vlastnosti a úloha v reprodukci
Jonáková, Věra ; Postlerová, Pavla ; Tichá, M. ; Pěknicová, Jana
Seminal plasma proteins bind to the sperm surface at ejaculation and may modulate sperm properties during reproduction. Porcine spermadhesins (AQN, AWN, PSP) are secreted mainly by the seminal vesicles (SV), but their mRNAs have been found also in the cauda epididymis and prostate. Using specific polyclonal antibodies, PSP-I and PSP-II proteins were immunodetected in tissue extracts from cauda epididymis, prostate, SV and Cowper´s glands on the blots, and in secretory tissues of cauda epididymis, prostate and SV by indirect immunofluorescence. We localized PSP spermadhesins on epididymal and ejaculated spermatozoa. PSP proteins are produced not only by SV and prostate, but also by epididymis. Characterization of seminal plasma proteins expressed in the individual reproductive organs might help to understand their role in the reproduction process.
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