title: [Advances in the study of epididymal protease inhibitor].
abstract: The epididymal protease inhibitor (Eppin) has recently been cloned in human and mice, which is specifically expressed in the epididymis and testis. Eppin is a cystine-rich secretory protein which contains signal peptide, WAP and BPTI motifs. Eppin is involved in sperm maturation and fertilization, and in the innate immune system of human epididymis. Immunocontraception with Eppin is effective and reliable, but its safety is to be further proved. This paper summarizes the effects of Eppin of fertilization and immunity, as well as its utilization in immunocontraception.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Bethune Military Medical College, PLA, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050081, China. xiaoqiangguo123@163.com
authors.forename: Xiao-Qiang
authors.initials: XQ
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Ren-Jie
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003269:Contraception, Immunologic; D004822:Epididymis / Q000276:immunology; D005298:Fertility / Q000502:physiology*; D000882:Haplorhini; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D053491:Proteinase Inhibitory Proteins, Secretory; D011506:Proteins / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D053491:Proteinase Inhibitory Proteins, Secretory; D011506:Proteins; C477828:eppin protein, mouse