Enzymatic and inhibiting activity in boar epididymal fluid

0428718 - BTÚ 2015 CZ eng K - Conference Paper (Czech conference)
Davidová, Nina - Ren, Š. - Liberda, J. - Jonáková, Věra - Maňásková-Postlerová, Pavla
Enzymatic and inhibiting activity in boar epididymal fluid.
Book of abstracts XXth Symposium of Biology and Immunology of Reproduction with international participation. Praha: Biotechnologický ústav AVČR, v.v.i, 2014 - (Pěknicová, J.), s. 1-82
[XXth Symposium of Biology and Immunology of Reproduction with international participation. Třešť (CZ), 22.05.2014-24.05.2014]
R&D Projects: GA ČR(CZ) P503/12/1834; GA ČR(CZ) P502/14/05547S; GA MŠMT(CZ) CZ1.05/1.1.00/02.0109
Institutional research plan: CEZ:AV0Z50520701
Institutional support: RVO:86652036
Keywords : enzymatic activity * inhibiting activity * epididymal fluid * proteinase
Subject RIV: CE - Biochemistry

Sperm maturation, represents a key step in the reproduction process. Spermatozoa, particularly the plasma membrane, are exposed to epididymal fluid (EF) components representing the natural environment essential for their post-testicular maturation. Changes in the sperm membrane proteins are influenced by proteolytic and glycosidic enzymes present in the EF. Accordingly, the occurrence of inhibitors in this reproductive organ is very important for the regulation of sperm membrane protein processing. In present study, we monitored protease and glycosidase activities, and inhibitors of metallo- and serine proteinases in boar EF. Additionally, we studied acrosin inhibitor in fluid, spermatozoa and tissue along the epididymis. We chromatographically separated boar EF into several fractions. These fractions were subjected to SDS-electrophoresis and the separated proteins were either studied by zymographic methods or transferred to nitrocellulose membranes for detection of metallo- and serine proteinases and their inhibitors, and acrosin inhibitor by specific antibody, respectively. Acrosin inhibitor was monitored also in the sperm and tissue of the boar epididymis. In boar epididymal fluid, several metallo- and serine proteinases with different molecular masses, and inhibitors of metalloproteinase MMP-9 and acrosin were found. We measured strong activity of mannosidase in this fluid. Using specific antibody, we registered the increasing signal of acrosin inhibitor from caput to cauda epididymis in the spermatozoa, fluid and also tissue. Proteinases and their inhibitors in reproductive fluids may play a significant role in reproduction processes. Especially, acrosin inhibitor in the reproductive tract inactivates prematurely released sperm acrosin and protects spermatozoa and reproductive epithelium against proteolytic degradation. High mannosidase activity in boar EF suggests evident role of mannose structures in the sperm interaction during reproductive events.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0235851