Gonococcal lipooligosaccharide is a ligand for the asialoglycoprotein receptor on human sperm.
In the present study, we show that Neisseria gonorrhoeae lipooligosaccharide (LOS) can bind to the asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGP-R) on human sperm. This work demonstrates the presence of ASGP-R on human sperm. Binding of purified ASGP-R ligand decreased in the presence of gonococci. Binding of purified iodinated gonococcal LOS identified a protein of molecular weight corresponding to that of human ASGP-R. The presence of excess unlabelled LOS blocked binding of iodinated gonococcal LOS. Binding of wild-type gonococcal LOS to sperm was higher than that of mutant LOS lacking the galactose ligand for ASGP-R. These data suggest that the ASGP-R on human sperm cells recognizes and binds wild-type gonococcal LOS. This interaction may contribute to the transmission of gonorrhea from infected males to their sexual partners.
Harvey
H A
HA
Department of Microbiology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA. Pediatric Infectious Disease Unit, Soroka University Medical Center, P.O.B. 151, Beer Sheva, Israel.
Porat
N
N
Campbell
C A
CA
Jennings
M
M
Gibson
B W
BW
Phillips
N J
NJ
Apicella
M A
MA
Blake
M S
MS
D037263:Asialoglycoprotein Receptor; D006801:Humans; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D007553:Isotope Labeling; D008024:Ligands; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D009344:Neisseria gonorrhoeae / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000378:metabolism*; D014166:Transferases / Q000235:genetics
D037263:Asialoglycoprotein Receptor; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D008024:Ligands; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; C023023:lipid-linked oligosaccharides; D014166:Transferases; C042308:phosphatidylglycerol glyceryl transferase