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Identification and characterization of P31m, a novel sperm protein in Cynomolgus monkey ( Macaca fascicularis )
Author(s) -
Lamontagne Nathalie,
Légaré Christine,
Gaudreault Christian,
Sullivan Robert
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
molecular reproduction and development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.745
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1098-2795
pISSN - 1040-452X
DOI - 10.1002/mrd.1050
Subject(s) - biology , spermatozoon , hamster , epididymis , zona pellucida , complementary dna , microbiology and biotechnology , zona pellucida glycoprotein , acrosome , sperm , western blot , cdna library , antiserum , oocyte , genetics , gene , antibody , embryo
We have previously described a hamster sperm glycoprotein, P26h, which is implicated in the cascade of events occurring during the interaction between mature spermatozoa and the oocyte's zona pellucida. The P26h is acquired on the acrosomal cap of the spermatozoon during its maturation arising within the epididymis. Lately, using a polyclonal antiserum raised against P26h, a 34 kDa protein, P34H, has been identified on the acrosomal cap of the human spermatozoon. The cloning and sequencing of the cDNA encoding P34H has revealed a 65% similarity between the P34H and P26h amino acid sequences. Considering that P26h shows total immunocontraceptive properties in the hamster, it is of relevant importance to have an animal model phylogenetically closer to the human. Using the Cynomolgus monkey, we searched for a protein autologous to the human P34H. A 31 kDa protein, the P31m, localized on the acrosomal cap of the monkey spermatozoon has been identified by a Western blot analysis and by immunohistochemical techniques using an anti‐hamster P26h antiserum. Northern blot analysis showed increasing high levels of the P31m mRNA through the epididymis and at lower levels in the testis. In situ hybridization showed the presence of the P31m mRNA in the principal cells of the epididymis. The cloning and sequencing of the cDNA encoding the P31m showed a high homology of 97% identity between the P31m and P34H nucleotidic sequences. This study clearly demonstrates that the monkey P31m is the homologous protein of the hamster P26h and of the human P34H. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 59: 431–441, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.