title: Evidence for the participation of beta-hexosaminidase in human sperm-zona pellucida interaction in vitro.
abstract: Mammalian sperm-zona pellucida (ZP) interaction is mediated by sperm lectin-like proteins and ZP glycoproteins. We have previously reported the participation of binding sites for N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) residues in human sperm function, including sperm interaction with the ZP. Additionally, previous results from our laboratory suggested that some of these events may be mediated by the glycosidase N-acetylglucosaminidase (beta-hexosaminidase, Hex, in mammals). In this study, we report the possible participation of Hex in human sperm-ZP interaction. Human recombinant Hex (hrHex) was obtained by expression in a stable transfected CHO cell line. When the recombinant enzyme was present during hemizona (HZ) assays, the number of sperm bound per HZ was significantly reduced. The same result was obtained when HZ were preincubated with hrHex. Additionally, the presence of a Hex-specific substrate during the HZ assay produced the same inhibitory effect. These results suggest the participation of a sperm Hex in the interaction with human ZP in vitro.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Fertilab, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: P V
authors.initials: PV
authors.lastname: Miranda
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: González-Echeverría
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Blaquier
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Mahuran
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Tezón
mesh_terms: D000117:Acetylglucosamine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D016466:CHO Cells; D006224:Cricetinae; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D006923:Hymecromone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D013084:Sperm-Ovum Interactions / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D015044:Zona Pellucida / Q000502:physiology*; D001619:beta-N-Acetylhexosaminidases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D011994:Recombinant Proteins; C025158:4-methylumbelliferyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranoside; D006923:Hymecromone; D001619:beta-N-Acetylhexosaminidases; D000117:Acetylglucosamine