title: Localization of Hsp60 and Grp78 in the human testis, epididymis and mature spermatozoa.
abstract: Molecular chaperones of the heat shock proteins (HSP) family are important in numerous cellular processes. In this study, the expression of Hsp60 and Grp78 proteins was investigated in the male reproductive tract. The cellular distribution of Hsp60 and Grp78 proteins was analysed in the human testis and epididymis by immunohistochemical approaches. DNA microarray technology was used to analyse HSP60 and GRP78 gene expression along human epididymis. The cellular localization of these chaperone proteins in ejaculated spermatozoa was investigated by indirect immunofluorescence and by Western blot following sperm sub-cellular fractionation. In the human testis, Hsp60 was detected in spermatogonia, whereas a strong Grp78 staining was observed in spermatocytes and round spermatids. Grp78 protein was also observed in the epididymal epithelium, whereas no Hsp60 staining was observed in this organ by immunohistochemistry. The presence of both Hsp60 and Grp78 RNA in human epididymis was confirmed by microarrays. In ejaculated spermatozoa, Hsp60 was localized in the mid-piece, whereas Grp78 was detected in the neck region. These results indicate that in addition to being expressed in human testis spermatogenic cells, both Hsp60 and Grp78 proteins persist in ejaculated spermatozoa. These findings are in agreement with the involvement of Hsp60 and Grp78 during spermatogenesis and in sperm functions such as fertilization.
authors.affiliation: Centre de Recherche en Biologie de la Reproduction, Département d'Obstétrique et de Gynécologie, Université Laval, Boul. Laurier, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lachance
authors.forename: Marlène
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fortier
authors.forename: Véronique
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Thimon
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sullivan
authors.forename: Janice L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Bailey
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Leclerc
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015153:Blotting, Western; D000091342:Endoplasmic Reticulum Chaperone BiP; D004822:Epididymis / Q000378:metabolism*; D005306:Fertilization; D015870:Gene Expression; D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018832:Molecular Chaperones / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D013087:Spermatids / Q000378:metabolism; D013091:Spermatogenesis; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D013737:Testis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000091342:Endoplasmic Reticulum Chaperone BiP; C000717247:HSPA5 protein, human; D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins; D018832:Molecular Chaperones