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Proteomic profiling reveals compartment‐specific, novel functions of ascidian sperm proteins
Author(s) -
Nakachi Mia,
Nakajima Ayako,
Nomura Mamoru,
Yonezawa Kouki,
Ueno Keisuke,
Endo Toshinori,
Inaba Kazuo
Publication year - 2011
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.21341
Subject(s) - biology , sperm , flagellum , proteome , proteomics , microbiology and biotechnology , ciona intestinalis , biochemistry , gene , genetics
In this study, we performed extensive proteomic analysis of sperm from the ascidian Ciona intestinalis . Sperm were fractionated into heads and flagella, followed by further separation into Triton X‐100‐soluble and ‐insoluble fractions. Proteins from each fraction and whole sperm were separated by isoelectric focusing using two different pH ranges, followed by SDS–PAGE at two different polyacrylamide concentrations. In total, 1,294 protein spots representing 304 non‐redundant proteins were identified by mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF). On comparison of the proteins in each fraction, we were able to identify the proteins specific to different sperm compartments. Further comparison with the testis proteome allowed the pairing of proteins with sperm‐specific functions. Together with information on gene expression in developing embryos and adult tissues, these results provide insight into novel cellular and functional aspects of sperm proteins, such as distinct localization of actin isoforms, novel Ca 2+ ‐binding proteins in axonemes, localization of testis‐specific serine/threonine kinase, and the presence of G‐protein coupled signaling and ubiquitin pathway in sperm flagella. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 78:529–549, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.