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ConA‐binding proteins of the sperm surface are conserved through evolution and in sperm maturation
Author(s) -
Runnebaum I. B.,
Schill W.B.,
TöpferPetersen E.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
andrologia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.633
H-Index - 59
eISSN - 1439-0272
pISSN - 0303-4569
DOI - 10.1111/j.1439-0272.1995.tb01076.x
Subject(s) - capacitation , sperm , biology , acrosome reaction , acrosome , concanavalin a , lectin , affinity chromatography , epididymis , boar , polyclonal antibodies , antigen , ligand binding assay , acrosin , microbiology and biotechnology , biochemistry , immunology , enzyme , genetics , receptor , in vitro
Summary Lectin‐binding glycoconjugates present on the surface of spermatozoa are believed to play a crucial role in sperm maturation, capacitation, acrosome reaction, or sperm‐egg interaction. We have studied ConA‐binding surface proteins on spermatozoa from different mammalian species. First, ConA‐binding proteins were isolated from boar spermatozoa by affinity chromatography. ConA‐binding ability was confirmed by Enzyme‐linked Lectin assay (ELLA). Monoclonal (MAb436/10) and polyclonal antibodies were raised against chromatography fractions containing purified ConA‐binding proteins of boar spermatozoa. MAb436/10 (IgG 2a ) recognizes a 40 kD ConA‐binding antigen. Indirect immunofluorescence on fixed and unfixed boar spermatozoa with MAb436/10 indicated a plasma membrane localization of antigen 436/10 in the acrosomal macrodomain. Interspecies cross‐reactivity with MAb436/10 was found by whole cell ELISA and immunocytochemistry. MAb436/10 cross‐reacted with human, horse, guinea‐pig, bull, and ram spermatozoa in both assays. Expression of ConA‐binding antigen 436/10 on guinea pig sperm surface was detectable during spermiogenesis and in early stages of sperm maturation. Change of regionalization of the antigen did not occur during the epididymal passage. ConA‐binding antigen 436/10 was also detectable in testis and caudal segments of the epididymis. These findings suggest that ConA‐binding proteins located in the acrosomal region are highly conserved through evolution as well as in sperm maturation indicating an important role for the physiology of spermatozoa.