Prostasome to sperm transfer of CD13/aminopeptidase N (EC 3.4.11.2). 1997

G Arienti, and E Carlini, and R Verdacchi, and E V Cosmi, and C A Palmerini
Istituto di Biochimica e Chimica Medica, Perugia, Italy.

Prostasomes are membranous vesicles (150-200 nm in diameter) that are present in human semen. They are secreted by the prostate gland and contain large amounts of cholesterol, sphingomyelin and Ca2+. In addition, some of their proteins are enzymes. Prostasomes enhance the motility of ejaculated spermatozoa and are involved in a number of additional biological functions. In previous papers, we demonstrated that lipid can be transferred from prostasomes to sperm by a fusion process occurring at slightly acidic pH. CD (cluster antigens) are ubiquitous proteins; in this paper, we demonstrate that CD13/aminopeptidase N is present is semen, where it is bound to prostasomes. Upon mixing prostasomes and sperm at slightly acidic pH (7 or less), aminopeptidase is transferred from prostasomes to sperm. This evidence comes from enzymatic activity determinations and from the use of the monoclonal antibody, anti-human CD13. The transfer was about 8% of total prostasomal activity at pH 5 and with a prostasome to sperm ratio of 2 (on a protein basis). The transfer did not occur at pH 8.0, but was measurable at pH 7. Therefore, this mechanism may represent a means of modifying the composition and the biological properties of ejaculated sperm.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007700 Kinetics The rate dynamics in chemical or physical systems.
D008297 Male Males
D008561 Membrane Fusion The adherence and merging of cell membranes, intracellular membranes, or artificial membranes to each other or to viruses, parasites, or interstitial particles through a variety of chemical and physical processes. Fusion, Membrane,Fusions, Membrane,Membrane Fusions
D011467 Prostate A gland in males that surrounds the neck of the URINARY BLADDER and the URETHRA. It secretes a substance that liquefies coagulated semen. It is situated in the pelvic cavity behind the lower part of the PUBIC SYMPHYSIS, above the deep layer of the triangular ligament, and rests upon the RECTUM. Prostates
D002850 Chromatography, Gel Chromatography on non-ionic gels without regard to the mechanism of solute discrimination. Chromatography, Exclusion,Chromatography, Gel Permeation,Chromatography, Molecular Sieve,Gel Filtration,Gel Filtration Chromatography,Chromatography, Size Exclusion,Exclusion Chromatography,Gel Chromatography,Gel Permeation Chromatography,Molecular Sieve Chromatography,Chromatography, Gel Filtration,Exclusion Chromatography, Size,Filtration Chromatography, Gel,Filtration, Gel,Sieve Chromatography, Molecular,Size Exclusion Chromatography
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D006863 Hydrogen-Ion Concentration The normality of a solution with respect to HYDROGEN ions; H+. It is related to acidity measurements in most cases by pH pH,Concentration, Hydrogen-Ion,Concentrations, Hydrogen-Ion,Hydrogen Ion Concentration,Hydrogen-Ion Concentrations
D012661 Semen The thick, yellowish-white, viscid fluid secretion of male reproductive organs discharged upon ejaculation. In addition to reproductive organ secretions, it contains SPERMATOZOA and their nutrient plasma. Seminal Plasma,Plasma, Seminal
D013094 Spermatozoa Mature male germ cells derived from SPERMATIDS. As spermatids move toward the lumen of the SEMINIFEROUS TUBULES, they undergo extensive structural changes including the loss of cytoplasm, condensation of CHROMATIN into the SPERM HEAD, formation of the ACROSOME cap, the SPERM MIDPIECE and the SPERM TAIL that provides motility. Sperm,Spermatozoon,X-Bearing Sperm,X-Chromosome-Bearing Sperm,Y-Bearing Sperm,Y-Chromosome-Bearing Sperm,Sperm, X-Bearing,Sperm, X-Chromosome-Bearing,Sperm, Y-Bearing,Sperm, Y-Chromosome-Bearing,Sperms, X-Bearing,Sperms, X-Chromosome-Bearing,Sperms, Y-Bearing,Sperms, Y-Chromosome-Bearing,X Bearing Sperm,X Chromosome Bearing Sperm,X-Bearing Sperms,X-Chromosome-Bearing Sperms,Y Bearing Sperm,Y Chromosome Bearing Sperm,Y-Bearing Sperms,Y-Chromosome-Bearing Sperms
D015388 Organelles Specific particles of membrane-bound organized living substances present in eukaryotic cells, such as the MITOCHONDRIA; the GOLGI APPARATUS; ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM; LYSOSOMES; PLASTIDS; and VACUOLES. Organelle

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