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Cloning and Characterization of a Novel Sperm-Associated Isoantigen (E-3) with Defensin- and Lectin-Like Motifs Expressed in Rat Epididymis¹

^a Department of Cell Biology and the Center for Research in Contraceptive and Reproductive Health, ^b The W.M. Keck Biomedical Mass Spectrometry Laboratory ^c Molecular Biology Computing Support ITC-ACHS, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908

In the present study we report the identification of a novel epididymis-specific secretory glycoprotein, E-3, which is a sperm-associated isoantigen containing defensin- and lectin-like motifs. E-3 was detected in rat epididymal fluid and in sperm extracts by two-dimensional (2-D) Western blotting using rat hyperimmune sera raised against rat sperm. The immunoreactive spot of approximately 28 kDa with an isoelectric point (pI) of 3.5 was cored from silver-stained gels. Microsequencing by tandem mass spectrometry and database searches revealed several peptides to be novel sequences. Degenerate deoxyinosine-containing primers corresponding to the novel peptides were used in rapid amplification of cDNA ends and polymerase chain reaction to clone E-3 from a rat epididymal cDNA library. A 449-base pair nucleotide sequence was subsequently obtained consisting of a complete open reading frame (ORF) of 111 amino acids, which showed similarity to the defensin and lectin families. The first 21 amino acids constituted a putative signal peptide, suggesting that E-3 is a secretory protein. Mature E-3 protein corresponding to amino acids 22–111 was expressed in E. coli, and chickens were immunized with recombinant E-3 (rE-3). The resulting anti-rE-3 antisera recognized the recombinant immunogen as well as a "native" protein of 28 kDa, pI 2.5–3.5 in both epididymal fluid and in sperm extracts on 2-D Western blots. Northern hybridization indicated that E-3 mRNA was present in the epididymis but not in testis or other tissues, and that E-3 mRNA was predominantly expressed in the corpus and cauda of the epididymis, but not in the initial segment or caput. Similarly, Western blots detected the E-3 protein only in the epididymal fluid and sperm from the corpus and caudal regions. Finally, indirect immunofluorescence localized E-3 on the entire tail, and with less intensity on the head of the sperm. These observations indicate that E-3 is a secreted epididymal protein that becomes associated with the sperm as it transits through the corpus and cauda. The presence of a defensin-like motif suggests that E-3 may play a role in protecting the sperm from microbial infections in the epididymis and in the female reproductive tract.

¹ Supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIDDK P50 DK45179, NICHD HD U54-29009, the Fogarty International Center D43 TW/HD 00654, and by NICHD through cooperative agreement U54 HD 28934 as part of the Specialized Cooperative Centers Program in Reproduction Research), and by the Andrew W Mellon Foundation and Schering AG.

² Correspondence: Jayasimha Rao, Department of Cell Biology, School of Medicine, University of Virginia Health System, P.O. Box 800732, Charlottesville, VA 22908-0732. FAX: 434 982 3912; jr7y{at}virginia.edu