title: Mouse lipocalin as an enhancer of spermatozoa motility.
abstract: The 24p3 protein is a 25 kDa glycoprotein that is secreted into the uterine fluid during the proestrous phase of mice. We assessed the effects on spermatozoa motility and on the functions of mouse spermatozoa using the computer-assisted sperm analysis method, cytochemical staining and detection of the protein tyrosine phosphorylation pattern. Compared with the control cells, sperm motility was stimulated by the addition of 24p3 protein into the medium. Introducing 24p3 protein enhanced progressive motility but did not promote the appearance of hyperactivated movement. The presence of 24p3 protein in the medium did not allow the cells to undergo the capacitated protein tyrosine phosphorylation pattern and acrosome reaction. The tyrosine phosphorylation pattern shows phosphoproteins in the range of Mr 50,000-106,000 correlated with the sperm progressive motility after the addition of 24p3 protein into the medium. Using flow cytometry, we assessed the changes in the intracellular pH and measured the intracellular cAMP concentration with an immunodetection kit. The results indicated that the elevation in intracellular pH from 6.67 to 6.89, increase of intracellular cAMP accumulation, and protein tyrosine phosphorylation might be the factors in enhancement of sperm motility as the 24p3 protein bound to the spermatozoa. The 24p3 protein may have a role in regulating flagellar motility.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Ying-Chu
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Chi-
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.forename: Pei-Tzn
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Woan-Fang
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Tzeng
authors.forename: Sin-Tak
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Chu
mesh_terms: D020101:Acrosome Reaction; D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D000071068:Lipocalin-2; D054834:Lipocalins; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D015513:Oncogene Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010766:Phosphorylation; D019000:Phosphotyrosine / Q000378:metabolism; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins; D000071068:Lipocalin-2; D054834:Lipocalins; D015513:Oncogene Proteins; C071332:Lcn2 protein, mouse; D019000:Phosphotyrosine; D000242:Cyclic AMP