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The nitric oxide synthase of mouse spermatozoa
Author(s) -
Herrero M.B,
Goin J.C,
Boquet M,
Canteros M.G,
Franchi A.M,
Perez Martinez S,
Polak J.M,
Viggiano J.M,
Gimeno M.A.F
Publication year - 1997
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/s0014-5793(97)00570-x
Subject(s) - western blot , incubation , sperm , nitric oxide synthase , citrulline , nitric oxide , gene isoform , arginine , microbiology and biotechnology , chemistry , biochemistry , biology , endocrinology , amino acid , botany , gene
Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) was evidenced in mature mouse spermatozoa by means of biochemical techniques and Western blot. During 120 min of incubation, 10 7 spermatozoa synthesized 7±2 pmol of l ‐[ 14 C]citrulline. Besides, l ‐citrulline formation depended on the incubation time and on the concentration of l ‐arginine present in the incubation medium. Different concentrations of N G ‐nitro‐ l ‐arginine methyl ester (L‐NAME) but not aminoguanidine, inhibited l ‐[ 14 C]citrulline formation. Western‐blot analysis of solubilized sperm proteins revealed a unique band of M r =140 kDa with the neural, endothelial and inducible NOS antisera tested. These results provide evidence that mature mouse sperm contains a NOS isoform and that spermatozoa have the potential ability to synthesize NO, suggesting a role for endogenous NO on mammalian sperm function.