Showing papers on "Sperm plasma membrane published in 1987"

Characterization of the mouse sperm plasma membrane zona-binding site sensitive to trypsin inhibitors.

Abstract: The first contact of mammalian gametes is the binding of the spermatozoon to the zona pellucida of the egg. Previous work has shown that binding of the spermatozoon to the zona in the mouse occurs prior to the acrosome reaction and that trypsin inhibitors block this initial binding. This suggests that the sperm surface contains a trypsinlike binding site that functions by an active site mechanism to effect initial zona binding. When suspensions of twice-washed spermatozoa were incubated with the serine protease active site titrant, 4-methylumbelliferyl p-guanidinobenzoate (MUGB), the titrant was hydrolyzed at a rate of 8 pmoles/min-10(6) cells. MUGB was found to inhibit the binding of spermatozoa to the zona pellucida. The degree of inhibition and the rate of hydrolysis of MUGB by washed spermatozoa depend on the concentration of titrant, with half maximal effects at 13 microM and a linear correlation with r = 0.99. The analogous lysyl and arginyl trypsin substrates containing 7-amino-4-methylcoumarin as the fluorogenic leaving group were not hydrolyzed under the same conditions and did not inhibit zona binding. Both binding of sperm to zona-intact eggs and the hydrolysis of MUGB by sperm are inhibited by p-nitrophenyl guanidinobenzoate, soybean trypsin inhibitor, and acid-solubilized zonae. The linear correlation coefficients of the inhibition of sperm binding and MUGB hydrolysis by these three substances are greater than 0.92. This "trypsinlike" sperm site is essential for sperm binding to the zona: its stereospecificity is unique in that it reacts with trypsin inhibitors but not with trypsin substrates.

Properties and function of caltrin, the calcium-transport inhibitor of bull seminal plasma

Abstract: Indirect immunofluorescence studies with polyclonal antibodies show that caltrin binds to the plasma membrane over the acrosome and principal tail regions of bovine spermatozoa but not to the postacrosomal area or the midpiece. Calcium influx into bovine epididymal spermatozoa maintained in a simple salt medium containing DL-beta-hydroxybutyrate is prevented by caltrin freshly prepared from bovine seminal plasma through a procedure employing only gel permeation columns. Older preparations, on the other hand, enhance calcium uptake into these cells. Caltrin freshly prepared through a purification scheme that includes a cation exchanger only induces enhancement of calcium uptake into bovine epididymal spermatozoa maintained under identical conditions. It is postulated that early during sperm transit through the female reproductive tract, caltrin bound to the sperm plasma membrane protects the sperm cells from calcium influx. As the cells enter the oviduct where meeting with the egg could take place, factors...

Analysis of the surface labelling characteristics of human spermatozoa and the interaction with anti-sperm antibodies.

Abstract: Washed ejaculated human spermatozoa were surface labelled with 125I, using solid phase (iodogen) or enzymic (lactoperoxidase) methods, while membrane components possessing terminal galactose or galactosamine residues were labelled with the galactose oxidase-sodium [3H]borohydride technique. All three procedures revealed the presence of 2 major labelled surface components. The first comprised a broad band of radioactivity migrating just behind the ion front on SDS-PAGE, which could be extracted with chloroform and methanol, suggesting a lipid-like composition. The second fraction exhibited properties consistent with a major glycoprotein component of the human sperm plasma membrane, giving a peak of radioactivity with Mr = 20,000, within which a discrete doublet of bands (Mr = 17,000 and 19,000) could be resolved by autoradiography. A more detailed analysis of the labelled protein fraction after TCA precipitation revealed a number of other surface components, the major ones of which exhibited Mr values of 30,000, 45,000, 66,000, 115,000 and 160,000. Western blot analysis was then used to determine whether any of the surface components described above interacted with the gamma-globulin fraction of antisera obtained from patients exhibiting idiopathic autoimmunity against sperm antigens. Using a purified membrane preparation as the target, antibodies were detected against numerous high molecular weight bands with Mr values similar to the major components of the human sperm surface (35,000, 45,000, 66,000, 90,000 and 150,000). The nature of the antigens targeted by these antisera did not correlate with the ability of the latter to stimulate or suppress sperm-oocyte fusion.

Characterization of human sperm plasma membrane: Glycolipids and polypeptides

Abstract: The plasma membranes from ejaculated human spermatozoa were removed by nitrogen cavitation (600 PSI for 10 min) and isolated by centrifugation followed by a discontinuous sucrose density gradient centrifugation. Glycolipid analysis of the plasma membrane revealed a three-fold enrichment in gangliosides: GM3 and GD1a/GD1b and neutral glycolipids: globoside and sulfatide as compared to that of whole human sperm. Two dimensional electrophoresis of human sperm plasma membranes revealed about 75 polypeptides. Several of these polypeptides were similar in migration and in display of shape and color to that found in boar sperm plasma membranes.

Changes in binding of a 27-kilodalton chimpanzee cauda epididymal protein glycoprotein component to chimpanzee sperm.

Abstract: Motility patterns of caput epididymal chimpanzee sperm, caput epididymal chimpanzee sperm incubated in vitro with chimpanzee cauda epididymal fluid, and cauda epididymal chimpanzee sperm were assessed quantitatively. Sperm recovered from the caput epididymis showed no motility, whereas sperm recovered from cauda epididymis showed progressive forward motility. After incubation in cauda fluid, approximately 25% of caput epididymal sperm showed some motile activity. Electrophoretic analysis of 125I-labeled sperm plasma membrane preparations revealed that the surface of caput epididymal sperm, incubated in cauda fluid, was modified by the appearance of a major protein-glycoprotein surface component with an apparent molecular weight of 27 kilodaltons (kD). THis 27-kD component was not detected on caput epididymal sperm incubated in buffer or in caput fluid. However, it was present in cauda fluid and on cauda epididymal sperm. Binding to caput epididymal sperm was cell specific in that chimpanzee erythrocytes incubated in cauda fluid did not bind this 27-kD cauda fluid component. Motility patterns of ejaculated chimpanzee sperm and of ejaculated chimpanzee sperm incubated in the uterus of adult female chimpanzees also were assessed quantitatively. Ejaculated sperm showed progressive forward motility, whereas in utero incubated ejaculated sperm showed hyperactivated motility typical of capacitated sperm. Electrophoretic analysis of 125I-labeled sperm plasma membrane preparations revealed the loss of a 27-kD component from the surface of ejaculated sperm after in utero incubation. No significant change in the 125I-distribution pattern was detectable when ejaculated sperm were incubated in buffer. These results suggest that the lumenal fluid component, which becomes adsorbed to the surface of chimpanzee sperm during maturation in the epididymis and which is removed from the surface of mature chimpanzee sperm in the female reproductive tract, affects sperm motility.

Cytochemical analysis of the anionic sites on the membrane of the stallion spermatozoa during the epididymal transit.

Abstract: The structure, relative density, and distribution of anionic sites on the surface of epididymal and ejaculated spermatozoa were studied using polycationic ferritin (CF), colloidal iron hydroxide (CIH), various enzymatic treatments, methylation, and de-acetylation. Macro-molecules containing sugar residues, probably sialic acid, are part of the sperm membrane and show a characteristic distribution and density that is dependent of the sperm region and of its origin. Unlike the spermatozoa of other eutheria examined, the exposure of the stallion spermatozoa to neuraminidase treatment did not produce significant changes in the density of the negative charge of the sperm surface. The ability of purified neuraminidase to act only after saponification suggests that sialic acid may be present in the acetylated form. When CIH was used it is seen that the density of the negative charge is rather uniform within a particular segment of the spermatozoa and abruptly changes at the junction of morphologically distinct segments (Between the acrosomal and post acrosomal region of the sperm head and between the post acrosomal region and middle piece of the flagellum). The acrosome presented more negative groups dissociated at pH 1.8 than the postacrosomal region. A greater concentration of anionic sites over the flagellum was also observed when CIH and CF were used. This asymmetry probably represents different domains that may be related to specific functions. The cytochemical observations and the cellular electrophoretic mobility measurements did not show striking differences on the negative charge of sperm obtained from different regions of epididymis and ejaculates in contrast to previous results in other species. The spermatozoa collected from caput epididymidis bind CIH but not all population present equal response. In corpus and cauda region of epididymis the population displaying the capacity to bind CIH or CF significantly over the head and tail surface was the majority. This study corroborates that the distribution and density of terminal oligosaccharide residues on the sperm plasma membrane has species specific characteristics. The surface charge of the spermatozoa obtained either during the breeding or nonbreeding season, determined by measurements of cellular electrophoretic mobility and by the binding pattern of CIH and CF, does not show significant differences.

Changes of elemental concentrations around/on the rat sperm plasma membrane during maturation in the male genital tract.

Abstract: This study was undertaken to analyze the changes of elemental concentrations around/on the plasma membrane of the head, midpiece, and principal piece regions of individual rat spermatozoa during maturation in the male genital tract by X-ray microprobe analysis. Around/on the plasma membrane of the three different subcellular regions, concentrations of sodium, potassium, chlorine, and calcium decreased gradually during sperm passage through the male genital tract. Phosphorous showed almost constant concentrations. In contrast, magnesium concentration increased significantly through the process of maturation, and the concentration in the vas deferens was about three times higher than that in the testis. The Na-to-K ratios on the midpiece also increased gradually during maturation.