| HOME | HELP | FEEDBACK | SUBSCRIPTIONS | ARCHIVE | SEARCH | TABLE OF CONTENTS |
|
|
|
|||||||
|
|||||||||
Articles |
a Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas 79430
The CRES (cystatin-related epididymal spermatogenic) protein is a member of the cystatin superfamily of cysteine protease inhibitors and exhibits highly restricted expression in the reproductive tract. We have previously shown that CRES protein is present in elongating spermatids in the testis and is synthesized and secreted by the proximal caput epididymal epithelium. The presence of CRES protein in developing germ cells and in the luminal fluid surrounding maturing spermatozoa prompted us to examine whether CRES protein is associated with spermatozoa. In the studies presented, indirect immunofluorescence, immunogold electron microscopy, and Western blot analysis demonstrated that CRES protein is localized in sperm acrosomes and is released during the acrosome reaction. Interestingly, while the 19- and 14-kDa CRES proteins were present in testicular and proximal caput epididymal spermatozoa, the 14-kDa CRES protein was the predominant form present in mid-caput to cauda epididymal spermatozoa. Furthermore, following the ionophore-induced acrosome reaction, CRES protein localization was similar to that of proacrosin/acrosin in that it was detected in the soluble fraction as well as associated with the acrosome-reacted spermatozoa. The presence of CRES protein in the sperm acrosome, a site of high hydrolytic and proteolytic activity, suggests that CRES may play a role in the regulation of intraacrosomal protein processing or may be involved in fertilization.
2 Correspondence: Gail A. Cornwall, Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, 3601 4th Street, Lubbock, TX 79430. FAX: 806 743 2990; cbbgc{at}wpoffice.net.ttuhsc.edu
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
 |
|
  Y. Li, C. A. Putnam-Lawson, H. Knapp-Hoch, P. J. Friel, D. Mitchell, R. Hively, and M. D. Griswold Immunolocalization and Regulation of Cystatin 12 in Mouse Testis and Epididymis Biol Reprod, November 1, 2005; 73(5): 872 - 880. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 V. Tohonen, J. Frygelius, M. Mohammadieh, U. Kvist, L. J. Pelliniemi, K. O'Brien, K. Nordqvist, and A. Wedell Normal Sexual Development and Fertility in testatin Knockout Mice Mol. Cell. Biol., June 15, 2005; 25(12): 4892 - 4902. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 K. F. Arroteia, P. P. Joazeiro, A. T. Yamada, H. Tanaka, Y. Nishimune, and Luis. A. V. Pereira Identification and Characterization of an Antigen Recognized by Monoclonal Antibody TRA 54 in Mouse Epididymis and Vas Deferens J Androl, November 1, 2004; 25(6): 914 - 921. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
T. G. Cooper, A. Wagenfeld, G. A. Cornwall, N. Hsia, S. T. Chu, M.-C. Orgebin-Crist, J. Drevet, P. Vernet, C. Avram, E. Nieschlag, et al. Gene and Protein Expression in the Epididymis of Infertile c-ros Receptor Tyrosine Kinase-Deficient Mice Biol Reprod, November 1, 2003; 69(5): 1750 - 1762. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
Y. Li, P. J. Friel, D. J. McLean, and M. D. Griswold Cystatin E1 and E2, New Members of Male Reproductive Tract Subgroup Within Cystatin Type 2 Family Biol Reprod, August 1, 2003; 69(2): 489 - 500. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 P. Redecker, M. R. Kreutz, J. Bockmann, E. D. Gundelfinger, and T. M. Boeckers Brain Synaptic Junctional Proteins at the Acrosome of Rat Testicular Germ Cells J. Histochem. Cytochem., June 1, 2003; 51(6): 809 - 819. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 G. A. Cornwall, A. Cameron, I. Lindberg, D. M. Hardy, N. Cormier, and N. Hsia The Cystatin-Related Epididymal Spermatogenic Protein Inhibits the Serine Protease Prohormone Convertase 2 Endocrinology, March 1, 2003; 144(3): 901 - 908. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
Y. Li, P. J. Friel, M. O. Robinson, D. J. McLean, and M. D. Griswold Identification and Characterization of Testis- and Epididymis-Specific Genes: Cystatin SC and Cystatin TE-1 Biol Reprod, December 1, 2002; 67(6): 1872 - 1880. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
S. H. Hall, K. G. Hamil, and F. S. French Host Defense Proteins of the Male Reproductive Tract J Androl, September 1, 2002; 23(5): 585 - 597. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. Wassler, P. Syntin, H.G. Sutton-Walsh, N. Hsia, D. M. Hardy, and G. A. Cornwall Identification and Characterization of Cystatin-Related Epididymal Spermatogenic Protein in Human Spermatozoa: Localization in the Equatorial Segment Biol Reprod, September 1, 2002; 67(3): 795 - 803. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
S. Metayer, F. Dacheux, J.-L. Dacheux, and J.-L. Gatti Comparison, Characterization, and Identification of Proteases and Protease Inhibitors in Epididymal Fluids of Domestic Mammals. Matrix Metalloproteinases Are Major Fluid Gelatinases Biol Reprod, May 1, 2002; 66(5): 1219 - 1229. [Abstract] [Full Text]
|
|
|
|
|
|
C. A. Chayko, M.-C. Orgebin-Crist, M. D. Skudlarek, and D. R.P. Tulsiani Biosynthesis, Processing, and Subcellular Localization of Rat Sperm{beta}-D-Galactosidase Biol Reprod, September 1, 2000; 63(3): 688 - 696. [Abstract] [Full Text]
|
|
| HOME | HELP | FEEDBACK | SUBSCRIPTIONS | ARCHIVE | SEARCH | TABLE OF CONTENTS |
