Carbohydrate chain-mediated cell membrane fluidity by seminal vesicle secreted protein and elucidation of fertility acquisition control mechanism

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26462465
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Urology
• Research Institution: Toin University of Yokohama
• Principal Investigator: Yoshida Kaoru 桐蔭横浜大学, 医用工学部, 准教授(移行) (70398973)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 精子 / 精嚢分泌タンパク質 / 糖脂質 / コレステロール / 受精能獲得 / 男性不妊

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In order to elucidate the mechanism that sperm motility and fertility are regulated by seminal vesicle secretion protein during the fertilization process. Here, we studied sperm fertility through control of sperm membrane structure by seminal secretory protein mainly on human subjects.It is a well-known that capacitation starts in cholesterol efflux. Therefore, the effect of human seminal vesicle secretory protein, SEMG on ganglioside GM1 which is a lipid raft constituent component controlled by cholesterol and on glycocalyx which is considered to coat the outermost surface of sperm and β defensin 126 which plays the center of its structure were examined. SEMG showed no clear binding to cholesterol similar to murine homologous protein SVS 2, but it was confirmed to show binding to gangliosides GM 1 and GM 2. In male infertility patients (excluding azoospermia), the frequency distribution of β-defensin 126 gene polymorphism in DNA specimens showed no difference from the normal group.

Free Research Field

生殖生物学