Identification of human spermatogenesis-related proteins by comparative proteomic analysis: a preliminary study.
OBJECTIVE
To identify human spermatogenesis-related proteins.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
University research laboratory.


METHODS
Three fertile men with normal spermatogenesis, 3 azoospermic patients with sloughing and disorganization of germ cells.


METHODS
Testicular tissue samples were collected by biopsy after informed consent.


METHODS
The protein expressional profiles of human testes of fertile men and azoospermic patients were compared using a proteomic approach by combining two-dimensional gel electrophoresis analyses and mass spectrometry. Bioinformatic analysis helped to reveal the regulation pathway. Expression of some selected proteins in normal and pathological testes was analyzed by immunohistochemistry.


RESULTS
Ten protein spots were identified as expressing differentially between the normal testes and pathological testes with sloughing and disorganization of germ cells; these included the phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase, peroxiredoxin 4 (Prx4), heat shock protein beta-1 (HSP27), and cathepsin D (CTSD). Bioinformatic analysis revealed that many differentially expressed proteins participate in cellular proliferation, apoptosis, and cell death and helped us to focus on a few of them. Immunohistochemical analysis of Prx4, HSP27, and CTSD confirmed the results obtained by proteomic analysis.


CONCLUSIONS
These 10 proteins may help in elucidating the pathways involved in human spermatogenesis.
Huo
Ran
R
Department of Histology and Embryology, Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
He
Ying
Y
Zhao
Chun
C
Guo
Xue-jiang
XJ
Lin
Min
M
Sha
Jia-hao
JH
D000328:Adult; D053713:Azoospermia / Q000378:metabolism*; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D020543:Proteome / Q000378:metabolism*; D013091:Spermatogenesis; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
D020543:Proteome