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Ascidian sperm activating and attracting factor: Importance of sulfate groups for the activities and implication of its putative receptor
Author(s) -
Yoshida Manabu,
Shiba Kogiku,
Yoshida Kaoru,
Tsuchikawa Hiroshi,
Ootou Ouichirou,
Oishi Toru,
Murata Michio
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1016/j.febslet.2008.09.006
Subject(s) - sperm , receptor , sulfate , chemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , biochemistry , genetics , organic chemistry
The sperm activating and attracting factor (SAAF) from the eggs of the ascidian Ciona intestinalis was identified as the sulfated polyhydroxysterol,3α,4β,7α,26‐tetrahydroxy‐5α‐cholestane‐3,26‐disulfate. We present a functional analysis of SAAF derivatives that reveals the roles of the various SAAF functional groups. Optical isomerism does not affect SAAF activities. Hydrolysis on one side, i.e. at the sulfate groups of SAAF, decreases the sperm‐activating and sperm‐attracting activities, while hydrolysis on both sides resulted in the loss of both activities. Biotinylated‐SAAF lost its sperm‐activating ability, but retained sperm‐binding and chemotactic abilities. Thus, the sulfate groups of SAAF are responsible for these activities.