Molecular mechanism of epididymal protease inhibitor modulating the liquefaction of human semen |
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Authors: | Wang Zeng-Jun Zhang Wei Feng Ning-Han Song Ning-Hong Wu Hong-Fei Sui Yuan-Geng |
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Institution: | Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China. E-mail: zengjunwang2002@hotmail.com. |
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Abstract: | Aim: To study the molecular mechanism of epididymal protease inhibitor (Eppin) modulating the process of prostate specific antigen (PSA) digesting semenogelin (Sg). Methods: Human Sg cDNA (nucleotides 82-849) and Eppin cDNA (nucleotides 70-723) were generated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and cloned into pET-100D/TOPO. Recombinant Eppin and Sg (rEppin and rSg) were produced by BL21 (DE3). The association of Eppin with Sg was studied by far-western immunoblot and radioautography. In vitro the digestion of rSg by PSA in the presence or absence of rEppin was studied. The effect of anti-Q20E (N-terminal) and C-terminal of Eppin on Eppin-Sg binding was monitored. Results: Eppin binds Sg on the surface of human spermatozoa with the C-terminal of Eppin (amino acids 75-133). rSg was digested with PSA and many low molecular weight fragments were produced. When rEppin is bound to rSg, then digested by PSA, incomplete digestion and a 15-kDa fragment results. Antibody binding to the N-terminal of rEppin did not affect rSg digestion. Addition of antibodies to the C-terminal of rEppin inhibited the modulating effect of rEppin. Conclusion: Eppin protects a 15-kDa fragment of rSg from hydrolysis by PSA. |
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Keywords: | epididymal protease inhibitor semenogelin prostate specific antigen |
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