Sperm Tail Membrane Research Articles

An Attempt to Produce Transgenic Chicken Mediating Sperm Cells as Vectors

Hasebe, M., Soh, T., Hattori, M. and Fujihara, N. 1998. An attempt to produce transgenic chicken mediating sperm cells as vectors. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 14: 143–150. An attempt was made to produce possible transgenic chicken via sperm cells as vectors. In vitro incubation of ejaculated chicken spermatozoa with exogenous gene (MiwZ DNA) showed a possibility of the incorporation of foreign gene into sperm cells, which was examined by the PCR analysis. The embryos obtained from the eggs inseminated with DNA-treated spermatozoa indicated an existence of transferred exogenous gene in the blastodermal cells of the incubated fertile eggs. Exogenous gene injected into rooster testes was neither detected in the sperm cells nor in the blastodermal cells of fertilized eggs, which were inseminated with spermatozoa obtained from the testes-injected rooster. Sperm head, tail and cell membrane separated from DNA-treated spermatozoa revealed to contain foreign DNA, suggesting a possibility of incorporation of exogenous gene into plasma membrane from treated-spermatozoa.

Identification of heterotrimeric G proteins in human sperm tail membranes.

Heterotrimeric G proteins play important roles as signal transducing components in various mammalian sperm functions. We were interested in the distribution of G proteins in human sperm tails. Prior to membrane preparation, spermatozoa were separated from contaminating cells which are frequently present in human ejaculates. Enriched human sperm tail membranes were generated by using hypoosmotic swelling and homogenization procedures. Antisera against synthetic peptides were used to identify G proteins in immunoblots. AS 8, an antiserum directed against an amino acid sequence that is found in most G protein alpha-subunits, and A 86, which detects all known pertussis toxin-sensitive alpha-subunits, reacted specifically with a 40-kDa protein. Antisera against individual G protein alpha-subunits failed to detect any specific antigens in enriched tail membranes. AS 36, recognizing the beta 2-subunit of G proteins, identified a 35-kDa protein in sperm tail membranes. Antisera against the 36-kDa beta 1-subunit did not detect any relevant proteins in the membrane fraction. Neither G protein alpha-subunits nor G protein beta-subunits were found in the cytosol. ADP ribosylation of spermatozoal membrane or cytosolic proteins revealed no pertussis toxin-sensitive alpha-subunits. However, membrane preparations of nonpurified human spermatozoa contained alpha i2 subunits, as shown immunologically and by ADP ribosylation; they most probably derived from somatic cells which are frequently present in human ejaculates. Our results stress the fact that spermatozoa need to be purified before sperm membrane preparation to avoid misinterpretations caused by contaminating cells. Furthermore, we suggest that G proteins in membranes of human sperm tails belong to a novel subtype of G protein alpha-subunits; the putative beta-subunit was identified as a beta 2-subunit.

White blood cells in semen affect hyperactivation but not sperm membrane integrity in the head and tail regions

The presence of high numbers of peroxidase-positive PML in ejaculated semen significantly reduced sperm HA, an important step leading to sperm capacitation. Sperm membranes at both the head and tail regions, as assessed by the hypo-osmotic viability parameter and the hypo-osmotic sperm swelling test, respectively, were not affected by peroxidase-containing leukocytes. Sperm motility was not affected, but sperm curvilinear and straight line velocity parameters were reduced in the presence of high concentrations of leukocytes in the ejaculate. The results suggested that the effect of leukocytes on sperm was through a reduction in sperm hyperactive motility but not through alterations in the sperm head and tail membranes.

Immunological identification of G protein alpha- and beta-subunits in tail membranes of bovine spermatozoa.

Heterotrimeric G proteins are believed to play important roles as signal transducing components in various mammalian sperm functions. To assess the distribution of G proteins in bovine sperm tails, we purified membranes by hypoosmotic swelling of bovine spermatozoa followed by disruption of plasma membranes in a homogenizer and various centrifugation steps. Electron microscopy revealed highly purified membranes of bovine sperm tails. Subsequently, antisera against synthetic peptides were used to identify G proteins in immunoblots. An antiserum directed against the C-terminal decapeptide of Gi3 and detecting all known pertussis toxin-sensitive alpha-subunits, reacted specifically with a 40-kDa protein. In contrast, various other specific peptide antisera against alpha-subunits did not detect any G protein in enriched tail membranes. An antiserum recognizing the beta 2-subunit of G proteins and an antiserum reacting with both beta 1- and beta 2-subunits identified a 35-kDa protein in sperm tail membranes. In contrast, antisera against the 36-kDa beta 1-subunit did not detect any relevant proteins in the membrane fraction. Neither G protein alpha-subunits nor G protein beta-subunits were found in the cytosol. Our results suggest that G proteins in membranes of tails of bovine spermatozoa most likely belong to a novel subtype of G protein alpha-subunits, whereas the putative beta-subunit could be identified as a beta 2-subunit.

Membrane association of flagellar creatine kinase in the sperm phosphocreatine shuttle.

The flagellar creatine kinase (TCK) of Strongylocentrotus purpuratus sperm is both a principal component of sperm tail membrane preparations and a cytosolic enzyme. An improved purification scheme identified three pools of TCK, termed TCK I, TCK II, and TCK III. TCK I and II were essentially homogeneous protein preparations, while TCK III was heavily contaminated with other flagellar proteins, predominantly guanylate cyclase, and alpha- and beta-tubulin. The three TCK species are roughly present in a 1:10:1 ratio as assessed by activity measurements. TCK I and II are similar proteins as shown by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, partial proteolytic fragmentation, and cellulose polyacetate electrophoresis and have the same pH-dependent specific activity. However, they are functionally distinct with respect to their capacity to associate with lipids. TCK II associated readily with phospholipid liposomes and detergent micelles, while TCK I did not. Association of TCK II was as a protein monomer with an apparent Kd of approximately 1-2 mM at a 10(4):1 lipid or detergent to protein ratio. Whereas the Kd estimates were pH independent, the rate of association increased 2-3-fold between pH 6.5 and 8. The data are consistent with membrane-association of TCK II being a two-step process, involving a pH-dependent, intramolecular, TCK-specific step and a charge-facilitated, but pH-independent, membrane association step. Membrane association of TCK may, together with microtubule association (Tombes, R.M., Farr, A., and Shapiro, B.M. (1988) Exp. Cell Res. 178, 307-317) represent a mechanism required for specific accumulation of the enzyme within the flagellum.

Combined supravital staining and hypoosmotic swelling test

The parameter of sperm viability in hypoosmotic solution (VHOS) provides information concerning the membrane integrity of the sperm head. The objective of this study was to determine the association between the VHOS parameter and the sperm penetration assay. The VHOS parameter correctly predicted 70.0-71.4% of the failed sperm penetration assay samples in the short duration preincubation groups. A combination of both the VHOS parameter and the hypoosomotic sperm swelling (HOS) test significantly reduced the number of false negative results. In general, a sperm sample with an abnormal VHOS result and an abnormal HOS test result would be associated with a negative sperm penetration assay. Washing by centrifugation appeared to weaken the sperm head membranes while the swim-up method selected for sperm with strong head and tail membranes. After the various processing methods unique changes in the integrity of the sperm head and tail membranes for each sperm sample may help to identify the optimal method of preparation for individual patients undergoing the newer assisted reproductive technologies such as sperm microinjection.

Regional differentiation of the sea urchin sperm plasma membrane.

In order to study the molecular basis for the functional localization and behavioral control of sperm, we have partially characterized plasma membranes prepared from isolated head and tail fractions. These membranes have similar amounts of the Na+ pump (as reflected by (Na+,K+)-ATPase activity), whereas they differ in protein composition, binding sites for Ca2+ channel antagonists, and in the localization of enzymes of cyclic nucleotide metabolism. The Ca2+ channel antagonist D600 (and related phenylalkylamines) binds to plasma membrane preparations from sperm heads and tails with much higher affinity than do the dihydropyridine antagonists. This binding is inhibited greatly by certain monovalent (but not divalent) ions, especially Na+, Tris+, glycine ethyl ester+, and methylamine+.K+,Li+, and choline+ are less effective. In media of ionic composition resembling seawater, sperm tail membranes exhibit 6.5-fold more binding sites for D600 than do membranes from sperm head. cGMP phosphodiesterase and adenylate cyclase are also enriched in plasma membranes from the tail. Thus, the highly polarized sperm cell exhibits a regional differentiation of plasma membrane proteins implicated in behavioral control.