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Epididymal maturation – a crucial step in the post-testicular sperm development
Postlerová, Pavla ; Pohlová, Alžběta ; Zigo, Michal ; Jonáková, Věra
Mammalian spermatozoa after their development in testis undergo the post-testicular maturation in epididymis where acquire their fertilization ability and competence of movement. The epididymis is tissue with very active fluid-absorbing and fluid-secreting activity. Epididymal fluid contains ions and small molecules, proteins, glycoproteins and enzymes. The surface of spermatozoa is exposed directly to the epididymal fluid, and the sperm plasma membrane is significantly changed. Some testicular proteins are altered, masked, or replaced by new proteins/glycoproteins of epididymal origin. Several proteins produced by epididymis have been described in various mammalian species and shown to be associated with spermatozoa suggesting a role in the sperm maturation and/or sperm-egg binding and fusion. We isolated proteins from fluid, tissue and sperm of boar epididymis, and separated them by chromatographic and electrophoretic methods. We searched for known proteins using panel of antibodies and tested proteins of epididymal fluid for binding abilities. In the epididymis, we found proteins described as proteins of seminal plasma and associated with the sperm surface, such as spermadhesins, beta-microseminoprotein and acrosin inhibitor. These proteins were detected in epididymal sperm, fluid and tissue. We showed that some epididymal proteins may bind the spermatozoa and change the binding sites on the sperm surface. We determined and identified some proteins from boar epididymal fluid with affinity to heparin, hyaluronan and zona pellucida glycoproteins. These phenomena indicate that epididymal fluid proteins bind to the sperm surface during epididymal maturation and might subsequently play role in the sperm capacitation or sperm-zona pellucida binding.
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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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Biochemical methods as tool for study of reproductive proteins
Postlerová, Pavla ; Zigo, Michal ; Pohlová, Alžběta ; Jonáková, Věra
Study of molecular mechanisms in reproduction is essential for the understanding of this outstanding process. Our lab studies proteins secreted by reproductive organs and sperm using various biochemical methods for a long time. We have expertise in protein extraction from spermatic cells using different approaches, and by kits for proteins from the sperm surface and distinct subcellular compartments. The proteins of reproductive organ fluids are separated by chromatographic methods, such as size exclusion chromatography, high-performance liquid chromatography with reverse phase (RP-HPLC) and affinity chromatography on matrices with various ligands. Proteins are subjected to SDS- or 2D-electrophoresis for their characterization and comparison of various extraction methods, different mammalian species, and sperm in different functional development. Electrophoretically separated proteins may be transferred onto nitrocellulose membrane (Western blot) for antibody detection or binding studies with lectin-labelled ligands (lectins, polysaccharides, zona pellucida glycoproteins). We use immunoprecipitation method with specific antibody for protein determination followed by the MALDI identification. Proteins are localized by immunofluorescent techniques on/in spermatic cells and tissue sections of reproductive organs. Isolation of proteins from reproductive tissues and fluids, and the antibody detection is crucial for the studying of reproductive protein origin.
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Estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) in testicular cells and sperm
Dostálová, Pavla ; Žatecká, Eva ; Děd, Lukáš ; Dorosh, Andriy ; Postlerová, Pavla ; Jonáková, Věra ; Dvořáková-Hortová, Kateřina ; Pěknicová, Jana
Estrogen is a steroid hormone that plays an important role during sperm development in the male and female reproductive tract. Estrogen signalling is a complex process that depends on cell milieu and presence of receptors. Thanks to the steroid nature of estrogens, they can pass through the plasmatic membrane and bind to the intracellular estrogen receptors (ERs). Within the cell, there are several pools of ERs. One of them is localized to the cell nucleus and their activation leads to direct or indirect binding to DNA and ultimately to alternation in gene expression (genomic pathway). Other pools of ERs are associated with plasma membrane or are located in cytosol. Activation of membrane associated ERs leads to rapid non-genomic responses. Nowadays, two classical estrogen receptors are known – ERα and ERβ. Since ERβ is a predominant variant in testes, we focused our study on expression of ERβ variants in murine testes and sperm. We detected two variants of ERβ at mRNA level in both, testes and sperm. These variants differ in 54 nucleotids within the ligand binding domain and this variability results in different affinity to estrogen. We analyzed individual testicular cell types (spermatogonia, spermatocytes, spermatids, Sertoli cells) by RT-qPCR. Our results suggest that both ERβ variants are coexpressed in the same cell type and may therefore interact together. This may have consequences in mediating of estrogen signalling. Moreover, ERβ is expressed more in the later stages of spermatogenesis suggesting the role of ERβ in these stages or alternatively in spermatozoa alone. At the protein level, we detected ERβ in nuclear, membrane and cytosolic fraction prepared from testicular tissue suggesting the involvement of both, genomic and non-genomic, pathways of estrogen signaling in testes. In sperm, anti-ERβ antibodies localized ERβ in acrosome region and tail which is in accordance with the known role of estrogen on capacitation, acrosome reaction and motility.
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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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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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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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Role of sperm surface proteins in reproduction
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. DQH sperm surface protein shows affinity to oviductal epithelium and zona pellucida (ZP) glycoproteins. The mRNA transcript of DQH protein was found in seminal vesicles (SV). DQH was immunodetected by monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) in SV extract and fluid, on SV tissue sections and on the membrane-associated acrosome part of ejaculated spermatozoa. These results confirmed the ability of DQH protein to bind to the sperm surface at ejaculation and to participate in the formation of the sperm reservoir in the porcine oviduct. Moreover, monoclonal antibodies reduced binding of sperm to oocytes and proved the role of DQH protein in the sperm-ZP primary binding.
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