scholarly journals Redox control of surface protein sulphhydryls in bovine spermatozoa reversibly modulates sperm adhesion to the oviductal epithelium and capacitation

Reproduction ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 138 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberto Gualtieri ◽  
Valentina Mollo ◽  
Gennaro Duma ◽  
Riccardo Talevi
Keyword(s):  
Surface Protein ◽  
Surface Proteins ◽  
Sperm Surface ◽  
Sperm Suspension ◽  
Oviductal Epithelium ◽  
Bovine Spermatozoa ◽  
Sulphated Glycosaminoglycans ◽  
Oviductal Fluid ◽  
Adhesion Assays

Oviductal fluid molecules, such as sulphated glycosaminoglycans and disulphide-reductants, may represent periovulatory signals for the release of spermatozoa from the oviductal reservoir in the bovine species. Disulphide-reductants release spermatozoa through the reduction of sperm-surface disulphides to sulphhydryls (SH). Herein, we studied sperm-surface protein SH through labelling with maleimidylpropionyl biocytin in the initial sperm suspension, in the subpopulations able and unable to adhere to the in vitro cultured oviductal epithelium, and in spermatozoa released either through the disulphide-reductant penicillamine (PEN) or the sulphated glycosaminoglycan heparin (HEP). Adhesion assays were performed to study the ability of released spermatozoa to readhere to the oviductal epithelium. Results showed that the level of SH in sperm-surface proteins was: 1) low in adhering spermatozoa; 2) high in spermatozoa unable to adhere; and 3) markedly increased in released spermatozoa. Adhesion assays showed that: 1) PEN-released spermatozoa promptly recovered adhesion after removal of the disulphide-reductant and could be released again in response to PEN; 2) conversely, a limited number of HEP-released spermatozoa was able to readhere to the oviductal epithelium and this ability was not affected by HEP removal. Recovery of adhesion was associated to reoxidation of sperm-surface protein SH and to the reversal of capacitation. In conclusion, redox modulation of sperm-surface protein SH is involved in the release of spermatozoa adhering to the oviduct in vitro; the reversible action of disulphide-reductants might be responsible for intermittent phases of adhesions and releases; and the irreversible action of HEP indicates that it may represent a terminal releasing signal.

scholarly journals Buffalo sperm surface proteome profiling reveals an intricate relationship between innate immunity and reproduction

BMC Genomics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vipul Batra ◽  
Vanya Bhushan ◽  
Syed Azmal Ali ◽  
Parul Sarwalia ◽  
Ankit Pal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Male Fertility ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Surface Proteins ◽  
Glycosylation Pattern ◽  
Sperm Surface ◽  
Beta Defensins ◽  
Surface Proteome ◽  
Related Proteins ◽  
Sperm Surface Proteins

Abstract Background Low conception rate (CR) despite insemination with morphologically normal spermatozoa is a common reproductive restraint that limits buffalo productivity. This accounts for a significant loss to the farmers and the dairy industry, especially in agriculture-based economies. The immune-related proteins on the sperm surface are known to regulate fertility by assisting the spermatozoa in their survival and performance in the female reproductive tract (FRT). Regardless of their importance, very few studies have specifically catalogued the buffalo sperm surface proteome. The study was designed to determine the identity of sperm surface proteins and to ascertain if the epididymal expressed beta-defensins (BDs), implicated in male fertility, are translated and applied onto buffalo sperm surface along with other immune-related proteins. Results The raw mass spectra data searched against an in-house generated proteome database from UniProt using Comet search engine identified more than 300 proteins on the ejaculated buffalo sperm surface which were bound either by non-covalent (ionic) interactions or by a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor. The singular enrichment analysis (SEA) revealed that most of these proteins were extracellular with varied binding activities and were involved in either immune or reproductive processes. Flow cytometry using six FITC-labelled lectins confirmed the prediction of glycosylation of these proteins. Several beta-defensins (BDs), the anti-microbial peptides including the BuBD-129 and 126 were also identified amongst other buffalo sperm surface proteins. The presence of these proteins was subsequently confirmed by RT-qPCR, immunofluorescence and in vitro fertilization (IVF) experiments. Conclusions The surface of the buffalo spermatozoa is heavily glycosylated because of the epididymal secreted (glyco) proteins like BDs and the GPI-anchored proteins (GPI-APs). The glycosylation pattern of buffalo sperm-surface, however, could be perturbed in the presence of elevated salt concentration or incubation with PI-PLC. The identification of numerous BDs on the sperm surface strengthens our hypothesis that the buffalo BDs (BuBDs) assist the spermatozoa either in their survival or in performance in the FRT. Our results suggest that BuBD-129 is a sperm-surface BD that could have a role in buffalo sperm function. Further studies elucidating its exact physiological function are required to better understand its role in the regulation of male fertility.

scholarly journals The Ubiquitin-Proteasome System Does Not Regulate the Degradation of Porcine β-Microseminoprotein during Sperm Capacitation

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (11) ◽  
pp. 4151
Author(s):  
Lucie Tumova ◽  
Michal Zigo ◽  
Peter Sutovsky ◽  
Marketa Sedmikova ◽  
Pavla Postlerova
Keyword(s):  
Seminal Plasma ◽  
Plasma Proteins ◽  
Protein Composition ◽  
Surface Protein ◽  
Ubiquitin Proteasome System ◽  
Sperm Capacitation ◽  
Sperm Surface ◽  
Ubiquitin Proteasome ◽  
Seminal Plasma Proteins

Sperm capacitation, one of the key events during successful fertilization, is associated with extensive structural and functional sperm remodeling, beginning with the modification of protein composition within the sperm plasma membrane. The ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS), a multiprotein complex responsible for protein degradation and turnover, participates in capacitation events. Previous studies showed that capacitation-induced shedding of the seminal plasma proteins such as SPINK2, AQN1, and DQH from the sperm surface is regulated by UPS. Alterations in the sperm surface protein composition also relate to the porcine β-microseminoprotein (MSMB/PSP94), seminal plasma protein known as immunoglobulin-binding factor, and motility inhibitor. MSMB was detected in the acrosomal region as well as the flagellum of ejaculated boar spermatozoa, while the signal disappeared from the acrosomal region after in vitro capacitation (IVC). The involvement of UPS in the MSMB degradation during sperm IVC was studied using proteasomal interference and ubiquitin-activating enzyme (E1) inhibiting conditions by image-based flow cytometry and Western blot detection. Our results showed no accumulation of porcine MSMB either under proteasomal inhibition or under E1 inhibiting conditions. In addition, the immunoprecipitation study did not detect any ubiquitination of sperm MSMB nor was MSMB detected in the affinity-purified fraction containing ubiquitinated sperm proteins. Based on our results, we conclude that UPS does not appear to be the regulatory mechanism in the case of MSMB and opening new questions for further studies. Thus, the capacitation-induced processing of seminal plasma proteins on the sperm surface may be more complex than previously thought, employing multiple proteolytic systems in a non-redundant manner.

scholarly journals SSP3 Is a Novel Plasmodium yoelii Sporozoite Surface Protein with a Role in Gliding Motility

2014 ◽  
Vol 82 (11) ◽  
pp. 4643-4653 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anke Harupa ◽  
Brandon K. Sack ◽  
Viswanathan Lakshmanan ◽  
Nadia Arang ◽  
Alyse N. Douglass ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Salivary Glands ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Surface Protein ◽  
Plasmodium Yoelii ◽  
Gliding Motility ◽  
Surface Proteins ◽  
Type I ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mosquito Midgut

ABSTRACTPlasmodiumsporozoites develop within oocysts in the mosquito midgut wall and then migrate to the salivary glands. After transmission, they embark on a complex journey to the mammalian liver, where they infect hepatocytes. Proteins on the sporozoite surface likely mediate multiple steps of this journey, yet only a few sporozoite surface proteins have been described. Here, we characterize a novel, conserved sporozoite surface protein (SSP3) in the rodent malaria parasitePlasmodium yoelii. SSP3 is a putative type I transmembrane protein unique toPlasmodium. By using epitope tagging and SSP3-specific antibodies in conjunction with immunofluorescence microscopy, we showed that SSP3 is expressed in mosquito midgut oocyst sporozoites, exhibiting an intracellular localization. In sporozoites derived from the mosquito salivary glands, however, SSP3 localized predominantly to the sporozoite surface as determined by immunoelectron microscopy. However, the ectodomain of SSP3 appeared to be inaccessible to antibodies in nonpermeabilized salivary gland sporozoites. Antibody-induced shedding of the major surface protein circumsporozoite protein (CSP) exposed the SSP3 ectodomain to antibodies in some sporozoites. Targeted deletion ofSSP3adversely affectedin vitrosporozoite gliding motility, which, surprisingly, impacted neither their cell traversal capacity, host cell invasionin vitro, nor infectivityin vivo. Together, these data reveal a previously unappreciated complexity of thePlasmodiumsporozoite surface proteome and the roles of surface proteins in distinct biological activities of sporozoites.

scholarly journals Comparative and Functional Analysis of Sortase-Dependent Proteins in the Predicted Secretome of Lactobacillus salivarius UCC118

2006 ◽  
Vol 72 (6) ◽  
pp. 4143-4153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan-Peter van Pijkeren ◽  
Carlos Canchaya ◽  
Kieran A. Ryan ◽  
Yin Li ◽  
Marcus J. Claesson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pathogenic Bacteria ◽  
Binding Protein ◽  
Surface Protein ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
Transcript Level ◽  
Surface Proteins ◽  
Logarithmic Phase ◽  
Lactobacillus Salivarius ◽  
Binding Domains

ABSTRACT Surface proteins are important factors in the interaction of probiotic and pathogenic bacteria with their environment or host. We performed a comparative bioinformatic analysis of four publicly available Lactobacillus genomes and the genome of Lactobacillus salivarius subsp. salivarius strain UCC118 to identify secreted proteins and those linked to the cell wall. Proteins were identified which were predicted to be anchored by WXL-binding domains, N- or C-terminal anchors, GW repeats, lipoprotein anchors, or LysM-binding domains. We identified 10 sortase-dependent surface proteins in L. salivarius UCC118, including three which are homologous to mucus-binding proteins (LSL_0152, LSL_0311, and LSL_1335), a collagen-binding protein homologue (LSL_2020b), two hypothetical proteins (LSL_1838 and LSL_1902b), an enterococcal surface protein homologue (LSL_1085), a salivary agglutinin-binding homologue (LSL_1832b), an epithelial binding protein homologue (LSL_1319), and a proteinase homologue (LSL_1774b). However, two of the genes are gene fragments and four are pseudogenes, suggesting a lack of selection for their function. Two of the 10 genes were not transcribed in vitro, and 1 gene showed a 10-fold increase in transcript level in stationary phase compared to logarithmic phase. The sortase gene was deleted, and three genes encoding sortase-dependent proteins were disrupted. The sortase mutant and one sortase-dependent protein (mucus-binding homologue) mutant showed a significant reduction in adherence to human epithelial cell lines. The genome-wide investigation of surface proteins can thus help our understanding of their roles in host interaction.

scholarly journals A high-molecular-mass cell-surface protein from Lactobacillus reuteri 1063 adheres to mucus components The GenBank accession number for the sequence reported in this paper is AF120104.

Microbiology ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 148 (2) ◽  
pp. 433-442 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan Roos ◽  
Hans Jonsson
Keyword(s):  
Cell Surface ◽  
Lactobacillus Reuteri ◽  
Surface Protein ◽  
Surface Proteins ◽  
Cell Surface Protein ◽  
Intestinal Mucus ◽  
A Cell ◽  
Molecular Masses ◽  
Ph Range

A gene from Lactobacillus reuteri 1063 encoding a cell-surface protein, designated Mub, that adheres to mucus components in vitro has been cloned and sequenced. The deduced amino acid sequence of Mub (358 kDa) shows the presence of 14 approximately 200 aa repeats and features typical for other cell-surface proteins of Gram-positive bacteria. Fusion proteins consisting of different repeats of Mub and the maltose-binding protein (MBP) were produced. These proteins adhered to pig mucus components, with molecular masses ranging from <0·1 to >2 MDa, to pig gastric mucin and to hen intestinal mucus. The binding of Mub to mucus components occurred in the pH range 3–7·4, with maximum binding at pH 4–5 and could be partly inhibited by the glycoprotein fetuin. Affinity-purified antibodies against recombinant Mub were used in immunofluorescence microscopy to demonstrate the presence of Mub on the cell surface of strain 1063. By using the antibodies in a Western blot analysis, Mub could also be detected in the growth medium. The results implicate Mub as a cell-surface protein that is involved in Lactobacillus interactions with mucin and in colonization of the digestive tract.

scholarly journals Evidence that Surface Proteins Sn14 and Sn16 of Sarcocystis neurona Merozoites Are Involved in Infection and Immunity

1998 ◽  
Vol 66 (5) ◽  
pp. 1834-1838 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fang Ting Liang ◽  
David E. Granstrom ◽  
Xiao Min Zhao ◽  
John F. Timoney
Keyword(s):  
Surface Protein ◽  
Neutralization Assay ◽  
Etiologic Agent ◽  
Surface Proteins ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Inhibitory Effects ◽  
Sarcocystis Neurona ◽  
Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis ◽  
Useful Components

ABSTRACT Sarcocystis neurona is the etiologic agent of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM). Based on an analysis of 25,000 equine serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples, including samples from horses with neurologic signs typical of EPM or with histologically or parasitologically confirmed EPM, four major immunoblot band patterns have been identified. Twenty-three serum and CSF samples representing each of the four immunoblot patterns were selected from 220 samples from horses with neurologic signs resembling EPM and examined for inhibitory effects on the infectivity of S. neurona by an in vitro neutralization assay. A high correlation between immunoblot band pattern and neutralizing activity was detected. Two proteins, Sn14 and Sn16 (14 and 16 kDa, respectively), appeared to be important for in vitro infection. A combination of the results of surface protein labeling, immunoprecipitation, Western blotting, and trypsin digestion suggests that these molecules are surface proteins and may be useful components of a vaccine against S. neuronainfection. Although S. neurona is an obligate intracellular parasite, it is potentially a target for specific antibodies which may lyse merozoites via complement or inhibit their attachment and penetration to host cells.

scholarly journals Temporal Changes in Outer Surface Proteins A and C of the Lyme Disease-Associated Spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi, during the Chain of Infection in Ticks and Mice

2000 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 382-388 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tom G. Schwan ◽  
Joseph Piesman
Keyword(s):  
Lyme Disease ◽  
Borrelia Burgdorferi ◽  
Outer Surface ◽  
Ixodes Scapularis ◽  
Protein A ◽  
Surface Protein ◽  
Surface Proteins ◽  
In Vitro Cultivation ◽  
Outer Surface Protein A

ABSTRACT The Lyme disease-associated spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi, is maintained in enzootic cycles involvingIxodes ticks and small mammals. Previous studies demonstrated that B. burgdorferi expresses outer surface protein A (OspA) but not OspC when residing in the midgut of unfed ticks. However, after ticks feed on blood, some spirochetes stop making OspA and express OspC. Our current work examined the timing and frequency of OspA and OspC expression by B. burgdorferi in infected Ixodes scapularis nymphs as they fed on uninfected mice and in uninfected I. scapularis larvae and nymphs as they first acquired spirochetes from infected mice. Smears of midguts from previously infected ticks were prepared at 12- or 24-h intervals following attachment through repletion at 96 h, and spirochetes were stained for immunofluorescence for detection of antibodies to OspA and OspC. As shown previously, prior to feeding spirochetes in nymphs expressed OspA but not OspC. During nymphal feeding, however, the proportion of spirochetes expressing OspA decreased, while spirochetes expressing OspC became detectable. In fact, spirochetes rapidly began to express OspC, with the greatest proportion of spirochetes having this protein at 48 h of attachment and then with the proportion decreasing significantly by the time that the ticks had completed feeding. In vitro cultivation of the spirochete at different temperatures showed OspC to be most abundant when the spirochetes were grown at 37°C. Yet, the synthesis of this protein waned with continuous passage at this temperature. Immunofluorescence staining of spirochetes in smears of midguts from larvae and nymphs still attached or having completed feeding on infected mice demonstrated that OspA but not OspC was produced by these spirochetes recently acquired from mice. Therefore, the temporal synthesis of OspC by spirochetes only in feeding ticks that were infected prior to the blood meal suggests that this surface protein is involved in transmission from tick to mammal but not from mammal to tick.

scholarly journals The effect of elevated non-esterified fatty acid concentrations on bovine spermatozoa and on oocyte in vitro fertilisation

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (11) ◽  
pp. 1553
Author(s):  
K. L. J. Desmet ◽  
W. F. A. Marei ◽  
I. Pintelon ◽  
P. E. J. Bols ◽  
J. L. M. R. Leroy
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acid ◽  
Membrane Integrity ◽  
In Vitro Fertilisation ◽  
Sperm Function ◽  
Treatment Conditions ◽  
Developmental Capacity ◽  
Solvent Control ◽  
Bovine Spermatozoa ◽  
Oviductal Fluid

Elevated non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations, present in follicular and oviductal fluid, have been postulated as a causative link between metabolic disorders and subfertility. High NEFA conditions can directly disrupt oocyte maturation and developmental capacity after fertilisation. However, their influence on sperm function and the fertilisation process is not known. This study investigated the fertilisation process under high NEFA conditions. To differentiate between effects on both spermatozoa and oocytes or on spermatozoa only, different experiments were conducted. In the first experiment both gametes were simultaneously incubated during IVF under different conditions: (1) NEFA-free, solvent-free control conditions, (2) solvent control, (3) physiological concentrations of oleic (OA), palmitic (PA) and stearic (SA) acids or (4) pathophysiological concentrations of OA, PA and SA. In the second experiment spermatozoa were incubated (4 h) under the same treatment conditions prior to routine IVF. Gamete co-incubation resulted in reduced fertilisation and cleavage rates and increased prevalence of polyspermy. In the second experiment embryo developmental capacity and quality were not affected, although sperm motility and plasma membrane integrity were decreased. In conclusion, lipolytic conditions affected the fertilisation process mainly through an effect on the oocyte. Spermatozoa were still able to fertilise even though these conditions reduced sperm function.

scholarly journals A chimeric Plasmodium vivax Merozoite Surface Protein Antibody Recognises and Blocks Erythrocytic P. cynomolgi Berok Merozoites In Vitro

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fei-hu Shen ◽  
Jessica Jie Ying Ong ◽  
Yi-fan Sun ◽  
Yao Lei ◽  
Rui-lin Chu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Inhibition ◽  
Plasmodium Vivax ◽  
Vaccine Candidate ◽  
Surface Protein ◽  
Merozoite Surface Protein ◽  
Surface Proteins ◽  
Vaccine Candidates ◽  
Long Term Culture

Research on erythrocytic Plasmodium vivax merozoite antigens is critical for identifying potential vaccine candidates in reducing vivax disease. However, many P. vivax studies are constrained by its inability to undergo long-term culture in vitro. Conserved across all Plasmodium spp, merozoite surface proteins are essential for invasion into erythrocytes and highly expressed on erythrocytic merozoites, thus making it an ideal vaccine candidate. In clinical trials, the P. vivax merozoite surface protein 1 (PvMSP1-19) vaccine candidate alone has shown to have limited immunogenicity in patients, hence we incorporate the highly conserved and immunogenic C-terminus of both P. vivax merozoite surface protein 8 (PvMSP8) and PvMSP1-19 to develop a multicomponent chimeric protein rPvMSP8+1 for immunization into mice. The resulted chimeric rPvMSP8+1 antibody was shown to recognize native protein MSP8 and MSP1-19 of mature P. vivax schizonts. In the immunized mice, elevated antibody response was observed in the rPvMSP8+1-immunized group as compared to that immunized with single antigen components. In addition, we examined the growth inhibition of these antibodies against P. cynomolgi (Berok strain) parasites, which is phylogenetically close to P. vivax and sustains long term culture in vitro. Similarly, the chimeric anti-rPvMSP8+1 antibodies recognises P. cynomolgi MSP8 and MSP1-19 on mature schizonts, and showed strong inhibition in vitro via growth inhibition assay. This study provides support for a new multi-antigen-based paradigm rPvMSP8+1 to explore potential chimeric vaccine candidates against P. vivax malaria using sister species, P. cynomolgi.

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