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The ubiquitin–proteasome system is involved in the regulation of activity of spermadhesin aqn1 and acrosin inhibitor, the two sperm surface proteins, during porcine fertilization
Jonáková, Věra ; Yi, Y.J. ; Postlerová, Pavla ; Pěknicová, Jana
The spermadhesin AQN1and acrosin inhibitor (AI/SPINK2) proteins bind to the sperm plasma membrane at ejaculation. The AQN1 has been implicated in sperm binding to zona pellucida (ZP) of the oocyte as well as in sperm interactions with the epithelium of the oviductal sperm reservoir. The SPINK2 protects spermatozoa from proteolytic degradation during their trip up the female genital tract toward the oocyte. This study examined the role of two components of the 19S proteasome regulatory complex, the ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase UCHL3 and PSMD8 in the AQN1-mediated boar sperm binding to zona pellucida. Interaction of PSMD4 subunit with the acrosomal surface-associated acrosin inhibitor AI/SPINK2 provided another line of evidence for the presence of 26S proteasomes on the sperm surface. Detection of the ubiquitinated forms of SPINK2 supports the hypothesis that SPINK2 activity is controlled by ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS). The activity of the porcine AQN1, and thus the efficiency of sperm-oocyte recognition/binding, may be controlled by elements of the sperm surface-bound UPS, in particular by UCHL3, and by proteasomal regulatory complex subunit PSMD8. Ubiquitinated isoforms of AQN1 were also detected in boar sperm extracts. The UCHL inhibitor ubiquitin aldehyde and the antibodies against UCHL3 or PSMD8 increased the rate of sperm-ZP penetration and polyspermy during porcine in vitro fertilization (IVF). In contrast, the addition of recombinant UCHL3 to fertilization medium significantly reduced polyspermy rates, while maintaining satisfactory rate of monospermic fertilization (~50%). These results are significant for production agriculture. The high level of polyspermy that hinders porcine IVF for commercial embryo transfer could be mitigated by the modulation of the UCHL3 and/or PSMD8 activity.
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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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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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