Open AccessCharacterization of nucleohistone and nucleoprotamine components in the mature human sperm nucleus
Author(s) -
Li Yan,
Lalancette Claudia,
Miller David,
Krawetz Stephen A.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
asian journal of andrology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.701
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1745-7262
pISSN - 1008-682X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1745-7262.2008.00410.x
Subject(s) - protamine , sperm , histone , biology , cell nucleus , fluorescence in situ hybridization , microbiology and biotechnology , in situ hybridization , nucleus , chromosome , genetics , dna , biochemistry , gene , heparin , gene expression
Aim: To simultaneously determine the localization of histones and protamines within human sperm nuclei. Methods: Immunofluorescence of the core histones and protamines and fluorescence in situ hybridization of the telomere region of chromosome 16 was assessed in decondensed human sperm nuclei. Results: Immunofluorescent localization of histones, protamine 1 (PRM1) and protamine 2 (PRM2) along with fluorescence in situ hybridization localization of chromosome 16 telomeric sequences revealed a discrete distribution in sperm nuclei. Histones localized to the posterior ring region (i.e. the sperm nuclear annulus), whereas PRM1 and PRM2 appeared to be dispersed throughout the entire nucleus. Conclusion: The co‐localization of the human core sperm histones with the telomeric regions of chromosome 16 is consistent with the reorganization of specific non‐protamine regions into a less compacted state.