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Production, characterization, and immunocytochemical applications of monoclonal antibodies to human sperm protamines
Author(s) -
Le Lannic G.,
Arkhis A.,
Vendrely E.,
Chevaillier P.,
Dadoune J. P.
Publication year - 1993
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.1080360115
Subject(s) - protamine , biology , monoclonal antibody , spermiogenesis , immunoelectron microscopy , epitope , microbiology and biotechnology , antibody , immunofluorescence , western blot , sperm , chromatin , biochemistry , immunology , genetics , gene , heparin
Three monoclonal antibodies against human protamines were obtained by immunization with total human basic nuclear proteins or purified protamine HP3. The specificity of antibodies was assessed by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blot. They recognized three distinct epitopes: One was specific for the protamine P1 family, another was specific for the protamine P2 family and the third was common to both families. All were specific for the human species. Antibodies were used to detect protamines in germ cells by indirect immunofluorescence and by immunoelectron microscopy. Protamines appeared in spermtid nuclei at steps 4–5 of spermiogenesis, i.e., during the chromatin condensation process, and were not accumulated in the cytoplasm before entering the nucleus. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.