Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UNIPROT:P56851 (epididymal)
11,273 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Separation of labelled nuclei by sedimentation velocity at unit gravity (Staput method) was used to study the timing of histone synthesis and replacement by testis-specific basic nuclear protein (TSP) during spermatogenesis in the mouse. Animals were injected (intratesticularly) with 1.25 micronCi per testis 3H-arginine or 2.5 micronCi per testis 3H-lysine, testis nuclei were separated, and the acid extract of each nuclear fraction was analyzed by acrylamide gel electrophoresis. The distribution of labelled histones and TSP in separated nuclei was assessed 2 h after incorporation. Changes in the labelled histone and TSP content of nuclei during subsequent differentiation (1--34 days post-label) was followed in fractions of separated testis cell nuclei and in nuclei of cauda epididymal spermatozoa. Analysis of total histone and (TSP) content indicated quantitative changes during development. Nuclei from primary spermatocytes had relatively larger amounts of histones H1 and H4. Spermatid nuclei showed a relative reduction in histones H1 and H4, coincident with the appearance of TSP in these nuclei. These results suggested that synthesis and/or removal of certain histones must occur in late primary spermatocyte and early spermatid stages of spermatogenesis. Results of labelling experiments indicated several periods of histone synthesis during spermatogenesis: (1) closely associated with the last DNA synthesis(i.e., in early primary spermatocytes), (2) late in meiotic prophase (i.e., in pachytene primary spermatocytes) and (3) simultaneous with TSP synthesis (i.e., in late spermatids). Histone H1 was more heavily labelled toward the end of the primary spermatocyte period. Histone H4 was more heavily labelled in the early primary spermatocyte period, and again at the time of TSP synthesis in spermatids. Histones synthesized before the pachytene primary spermatocyte stage appeared to be replace, but histones synthesized later in spermatogenesis appeared to be at least partially retained in epididymal spermatozoa. These results suggested that repeated specific alterations in the protein complement of the nucleus are an integral part of spermatogenic differentiation in the mouse.
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PMID:Histone synthesis and replacement during spermatogenesis in the mouse. 32 95

Tpx-1 is a testis-specific gene that maps on mouse Chromosome (Chr) 17. The deduced TPX-1 protein shows 55% amino acid sequence similarity to acidic epididymal glycoprotein (AEG), assumed to be involved in sperm maturation. In the present study, we determined the genomic structure of the mouse Tpx-1 gene and the cellular localization of its transcripts. The gene was found to contain ten exons, with an unusually large intron (approximately 17.0 kilobase pairs) between exons 8 and 9. In situ hybridization of testicular sections showed that Tpx-1 is transcribed abundantly by haploid male germ cells. A computer search of protein databases revealed that deduced TPX-1/AEG proteins have significant sequence similarity (approximately 30%) to two non-mammalian proteins: "pathogenesis-related" proteins 1 of tobaccos, and venom sac proteins of white-face hornets, known as Dol m V. Amino acid residues encoded by exon 10 of the Tpx-1 gene and most of those encoded by exon 9 were absent in the non-mammalian proteins. This result suggests that the ancestor of Tpx-1 acquired exons 9 and 10 after its divergence from the ancestors of the plant and insect proteins.
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PMID:The mouse male germ cell-specific gene Tpx-1: molecular structure, mode of expression in spermatogenesis, and sequence similarity to two non-mammalian genes. 163 86

The expression patterns of the testis-specific and somatic forms of the pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) E1 alpha subunit genes were examined in adult mouse testis by in situ hybridization with specific cDNA probes and by immunostaining. A considerable increase in the mRNA level of the testis-specific PDH E1 alpha gene was observed in spermatocytes at the pachytene stage. The expression gradually decreased in spermatids as spermiogenesis progressed (especially after step 11) and it was not detectable in residual bodies. Transcripts of the testis-specific PDH E1 alpha gene were not identified in nongerminal Leydig and Sertoli cells. In contrast, the expression of the somatic form of the PDH E1 alpha gene was detected in spermatogonia, Leydig cells, and Sertoli cells at a low level. Transcripts of the somatic form of the PDH E1 alpha gene were not identified in other types of germ cells in adult mouse testis. Immunostaining with a PDH E1 alpha-specific antibody showed that the synthesis of PDH E1 alpha protein was dramatically increased in primary spermatocytes and that PDH E1 alpha protein existed abundantly in pachytene spermatocytes. The amount of PDH E1 alpha protein remained at a high level throughout spermiogenesis; however, it declined remarkably in epididymal spermatozoa. Leydig cells, Sertoli cells, and spermatogonia had low levels of PDH E1 alpha protein. These results suggest that (1) the transcription switch from the somatic form of the PDH E1 alpha gene to the testis-specific PDH E1 alpha gene occurs during the first meiotic prophase of spermatogenesis in adult mouse testis, and (2) PDH E1 alpha protein coded for by the testis-specific PDH E1 alpha gene is involved in the development of spermatogenic cells especially at stages after first meiotic prophase until the end of spermiogenesis in the testis.
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PMID:The expression pattern of the pyruvate dehydrogenase E1 alpha subunit genes during spermatogenesis in adult mouse. 173 60

The activities of several pivotal nucleotide metabolizing enzymes from the testis and vasal sperm of rats treated for 7 wk with 0, 20 or 30 mg X kg X day gossypol acetic acid were examined. Total testicular lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity increased 40% above control in the highest treatment group examined. However, the specific activity of the testis-specific isozyme of LDH, LDH-C4, decreased to 50 and 20% of control in the 20 and 30 mg X kg X day treatment groups, respectively. Basal soluble adenylate cyclase from a 100,000 X g supernatant of testis homogenate exhibited a 25% decrease in activity only in the 30-mg treatment group. Basal adenylate cyclase activity in the testicular membrane fraction increased 20 to 30% above control in response to gossypol administration. Testis membranes from the 20- and 30-mg treatment group exhibited a 2- and 4-fold greater activation of adenylate cyclase by guanine nucleotides. In vitro dose-response curves showed a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) for inhibition of soluble testicular adenylate cyclase by gossypol of 400 microM in each treatment group. Caudal epididymal sperm adenylate cyclase activity decreased to 25% of control levels in gossypol-treated animals, and the in vitro sensitivity of the enzyme to the inhibitory effects of gossypol increased 4-fold. IC50 values for gossypol inhibition of sperm adenylate cyclase decreased from 200 microM in control animals to 75 and 50 microM in the 20 and 30 mg X kg X day treatment groups, respectively. Cyclic adenosine 3':5' monophosphate phosphodiesterase activity in caudal sperm increased 6-fold in the 20- and 30-mg treatment groups. These results demonstrate that nucleotide metabolizing enzymes in sperm are major targets for the actions of gossypol and provide a possible mechanism for the inhibition of normal sperm function by this compound.
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PMID:Gossypol modulation of nucleotide metabolizing enzymes in the reproductive tract of male rats. 609 38

Nuclei and chromatin of seminiferous epithelial cells of rat testis contain acid-extractable and non-extractable proteins which interact readily with [3H]DFP (diisopropylfluorophosphate). Proteinase activity is closely associated with these DFP-interacting proteins, and the proteinase activities are inhibited by DFP and PMSF. DFP-interacting proteins of testis chromatin increase greatly in amount at 26-32 days after birth when spermatids are appearing in increasing numbers. In nuclei separated by zonal centrifugation on sucrose gradients, the DFP-labeled proteins are highest in activity in the elongated spermatids at the stage in spermiogenesis at which histones are being replaced by testis-specific proteins and protamines. Electrophoresis in SDS-polyacrylamide gels reveals the presence of three species of DFP-interacting proteins in nuclei of seminiferous epithelial cells of the testis. The chromatin of epididymal spermatozoa of the rat contains three or four species of DFP-interacting proteins by SDS-polyacrylamide electrophoresis and some of these labeled proteins co-migrate with two of the three basic proteins which are observed during electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gels in Triton-urea.
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PMID:Diisopropylfluorophosphate-interacting proteinases of nuclei of rat testis cells. 637 25

Spermatozoa from the testis and cauda epididymidis of the rat were surface labelled with radioactive iodide, extracted with detergent, and the radioactive proteins separated by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. In some instances spermatozoa were also surface labelled with tritiated borohydride in the presence of galactose oxidase. Soluble proteins in blood serum, rete testis fluid and cauda epididymal plasma were also iodinated and separated by gel electrophoresis. In addition, aliquants of the radioactive sperm extracts, blood serum and reproductive tract fluids were each immunoprecipitated with polyspecific antisera directed against either testicular sperm membranes, caudal sperm membranes, blood serum, rete testis fluid or cauda epididymal plasma before gel electrophoresis. From the patterns of radioactive proteins detected on the resultant gels, a two-dimensional map was created for each of the sperm extracts and for the various fluids. Proteins which were nonhomologous between testicular and caudal spermatozoa were identified, as well as proteins which were common to spermatozoa and reproductive tract fluids. Epididymal transit was characterized by the loss of certain proteins from the sperm surface, including three borohydride-labelled proteins of Mr 130 000, and by the addition of others, most notably a highly abundant protein of Mr 42 000. Several of the proteins lost from spermatozoa accumulated in the epididymal plasma whilst some of those added to the sperm surface could be identified as direct secretory products of the epididymis. Rete testis fluid contained blood proteins in addition to others presumed to be testis-specific, whilst the composition of cauda epididymal plasma was markedly different from blood serum or rete testis fluid.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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PMID:Analysis of surface proteins of rat spermatozoa during epididymal transit and identification of antigens common to spermatozoa, rete testis fluid and cauda epididymal plasma. 672 83

Soluble antigens, specific for mouse testis, were detected by immunoelectrophoresis using a rabbit antiserum against a testicular extract (TE; supernatant of a mouse testicular homogenate spun at 105,000 g for 2 hr). At least 18 archs of precipitation were defined for the adult TE, but only three were testis specific. They were found in the epididymal extract, thus suggesting that these may be spermatozoal antigens. In immature mice, the testis-specific antigens start to appear in coincidence with the onset of pachytene spermatocytes. Immunohistochemical observations (peroxidase-antiperoxidase) showed specific reaction over spermatocytes and spermatids. The site of reaction was the surface or the peripheric cytoplasm of these cells.
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PMID:Testicular specific soluble antigens and spermatogenic onset in the mouse. 714 54

Components of the mammalian sperm acrosome that have been conserved during evolution are probably essential for fertilization and are therefore potential antigens for the development of an immunocontraceptive vaccine. In order to identify such protein components, a series of specific polyclonal antisera were generated by immunizing rabbits with purified acrosomal membrane fractions from hamster epididymal spermatozoa. Antisera were finally selected using immunological and in-vitro fertilization assays, and used to then screen a human testis lambda gt11 cDNA library. As a result of this screening over 70 clones were identified, selected and purified. The cDNAs were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and the inserts characterized by restriction enzyme digestion and oligonucleotide probing techniques. The functional activity beta-galactosidase fusion proteins expressed by these clones (HA5-2, HA6-2 and HB4-1) inhibited significantly fertilization and reduced spermatozoa binding compared to controls. To date, sequence data has been obtained from HB4-1 (1.75 kb). The first 1132 nucleotides displayed > 96% homology to human testis-specific lactate dehydrogenase (LDH-C4) gene, the product of which is a known candidate antigen for a contraceptive vaccine. This finding suggests that a strategy involving the screening across species for conserved moieties of the mammalian acrosome may be useful for identifying candidate antigens for immunocontraception.
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PMID:A strategy for identifying candidate sperm antigens for immunocontraception: isolation of human testis cDNA clones using polyclonal antisera directed against hamster acrosomal membrane preparation. 755 86

SP-10 is a testis-specific acrosomal protein that has been detected in several species including humans. Extracts from whole human testis and epididymal, ejaculated, and capacitated sperm were analyzed by Western blot for SP-10 polypeptides. The testis extracts contained a full-length SP-10 protein at approximately 45 kDa as well as other immunoreactive SP-10 peptides at 32, 30, 28, and 26 kDa. Extracts from epididymal, ejaculated, and capacitated sperm contained several immunoreactive SP-10 peptides that co-migrated with the 32-26-kDa SP-10 peptides in the testis extracts. Epididymal, ejaculated, and capacitated sperm extracts did not contain the 45-kDa SP-10 peptide observed in testis extracts, but did contain immunoreactive SP-10 peptides from 25 to 18 kDa that were not detected in testis extracts. These results indicate that a full-length 45-kDa SP-10 precursor protein is present in the testis and that SP-10 peptides of 32, 30, 28, and 26 kDa result from proteolytic processing of the SP-10 precursor protein in the testis and/or alternative splicing. In addition, SP-10 peptides of 25-18 kDa were first detected in extracts of caput epididymal sperm and probably resulted from the proteolytic processing of the 45- and 32-26-kDa SP-10 peptides in the initial segment or caput epididymidis. Also, no additional SP-10 bands were detected in extracts of cauda epididymal, ejaculated, or capacitated sperm, suggesting that no further processing of the 32-18-kDa SP-10 peptides occurred during epididymal transit, ejaculation, and capacitation. Electron microscopic immunocytochemical observations of epididymal, ejaculated, and capacitated sperm revealed that colloidal gold labeling of SP-10 was most abundant within the principal segment and posterior bulb of the equatorial segment of the acrosome, while the colloidal gold labeling of SP-10 was sparse in the anterior equatorial segment of the acrosome. After a follicular fluid-induced acrosome reaction, SP-10 was detected on the inner acrosomal membrane in the equatorial segment and was associated with hybrid vesicles. This localization after the acrosome reaction is consistent with the hypothesis that SP-10 may be involved in sperm-zona binding or penetration.
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PMID:Human SP-10: acrosomal distribution, processing, and fate after the acrosome reaction. 788 99

Immotile bovine caput epididymal sperm contain levels of protein phosphatase activity twofold higher than do mature motile caudal sperm. Comparison of the inhibition profiles of endogenous phosphatase activities detected by okadaic acid (OA) and calyculin A (CA) revealed a pattern consistent with the predominance of a type 1 protein phosphatase (PP1). Immunoblot analysis identified PP1 gamma 2 (the testis-specific isoform of PP1) as the only PP1 isoform in sperm and showed little protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A). In addition, of the known PP1 inhibitors, i.e., DARPP-32, inhibitor 1 (I1), and inhibitor 2 (I2), only I2-like activity was detected in sperm. Inhibition of PP1 by the heat-stable I2-like activity purified from sperm could be reversed with purified glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3). Furthermore, sperm extracts contain an inactive complex of PP1 and I2 (termed PP1I) that could also be activated by purified GSK-3. The presence of GSK-3 in sperm was demonstrated by activation of purified PP1I, and quantitation revealed that immotile caput sperm contained sixfold higher GSK-3 activity than motile caudal sperm. Immunoblot analysis confirmed the expression of GSK-3 in sperm and revealed the occurrence of both the alpha and beta isoforms. Our findings suggest that the higher PP1 activity measured in immotile sperm, presumably due to higher GSK-3 activity, is responsible for holding motility in check. This conclusion was supported by the observation that the phosphatase inhibitors OA and CA, at micromolar and nanomolar levels, respectively, were able to induce motility in completely immotile bovine caput epididymal sperm and to stimulate the kinetic activity of mature caudal sperm. The intrasperm levels of cAMP, pH, and calcium were unaltered by treatment with these inhibitors. The results suggest a biochemical basis for the development and regulation of sperm motility and a possible physiological role for the PP1/I2/GSK-3 system.
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PMID:Sperm motility development in the epididymis is associated with decreased glycogen synthase kinase-3 and protein phosphatase 1 activity. 883 95


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