title: Basic nuclear protein pattern and chromatin condensation in the male germ cells of a tropical abalone, Haliotis asinina.
abstract: The basic nuclear proteins (BNPs) in spermatozoa of a tropical abalone, Haliotis asinina, were composed of a majority of protamine-like (PL) protein and a small amount of histones H1 and H4. Abalone H1 and PL proteins exhibited strong immunological cross reactivities among themselves as well as with chick H5 and calf thymus H1. Thus, all these proteins may belong to the same family. Immunolocalization by indirect immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy indicated that H1 and H4 were present in all steps of the male germ cells, however, with decreasing amount in late stage cells, particularly spermatids and spermatozoa. On the other hand, PL was present in middle step cells (secondary spermatocytes) with increasing amount in spermatids and spermatozoa when the chromatin became tightly packed. Thus, PL may be involved in the condensation of chromatin in the spermatozoa of this species.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Rama VI Road, Bangkok 10400, Thailand.
authors.forename: Worawit
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Suphamungmee
authors.forename: Somjai
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Apisawetakan
authors.forename: Wattana
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Weerachatyanukul
authors.forename: Chaitip
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wanichanon
authors.forename: Prapee
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sretarugsa
authors.forename: Tanes
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Poomtong
authors.forename: Prasert
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sobhon
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000276:immunology; D002843:Chromatin / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D006657:Histones / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008974:Mollusca / Q000235:genetics*; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D011479:Protamines / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D013737:Testis / Q000166:cytology
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D002843:Chromatin; D006657:Histones; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D011479:Protamines