Initial evaluation of fertilin as an immunocontraceptive antigen and molecular cloning of the cynomolgus monkey fertilin beta subunit.
Fertilin (PH-30) is a sperm surface protein that functions in sperm adhesion and fusion with the egg plasma membrane. Because of its essential function in fertilization, fertilin is a potential target for novel contraceptive approaches. In a pilot fertility trial, immunization of male guinea pigs with purified guinea pig fertilin resulted in complete infertility. The contraceptive effect was partial (two out of six animals were infertile) when female guinea pigs were immunized with the antigen. These results suggest that fertilin or domains of fertilin may be effective as immunocontraceptive antigens. As a step toward achieving this goal, we communicate the cDNA and deduced amino acid sequence of the monkey fertilin beta subunit.
Ramarao
C S
CS
Department of Physiology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington 06030-3505, USA.
Myles
D G
DG
White
J M
JM
Primakoff
P
P
D051722:ADAM Proteins; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001483:Base Sequence; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D003270:Contraceptive Agents; D018076:DNA, Complementary; D004822:Epididymis; D005260:Female; D000072196:Fertilins; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D007247:Infertility, Female; D008252:Macaca fascicularis; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D013045:Species Specificity; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000737:chemistry
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D003270:Contraceptive Agents; D018076:DNA, Complementary; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D051722:ADAM Proteins; D000072196:Fertilins; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases