This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Copyright Permission Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Légaré, C. Articles by Sullivan, R. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Légaré, C. Articles by Sullivan, R.

P34H Sperm Protein Is Preferentially Expressed by the Human Corpus Epididymidis¹

Centre de Recherche en Biologie de la Reproduction; and Département d’Obstétrique-Gynécologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada G1V 4G2

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Robert Sullivan, Unité d’Ontogénie-Reproduction, Centre de Recherche, Centre Hospitalier de l’Université Laval, 2705 Boulevard Laurier, Ste-Foy, Québec, Canada, G1V 4G2. E-mail: robert.sullivan{at}crchul.ulaval.ca

During epididymal transit, mammalian spermatozoa acquire new surface proteins that are necessary for gamete interaction. We have previously described a 34-kDa human epididymal sperm protein, P34H, that has been shown to be involved in sperm-zona pellucida interaction. In the present study, we report the cloning and characterization of the full-length complementary DNA encoding human P34H. The predicted amino acid sequence revealed 65% identity with P26h, the hamster counterpart of the P34H. The deduced P34H amino acid sequence revealed a 71% similarity with a pig lung tetrameric carbonyl reductase, a member of the short chain dehydrogenase/reductase family proteins. Northern blot analysis revealed that P34H messenger RNA (mRNA) was highly expressed in the human epididymis, principally in the corpus region. A single 912-bp P34H transcript was detected. In situ hybridization experiments showed that the P34H mRNA was predominantly expressed in the proximal and distal sections of the corpus epididymidis. The staining was restricted to the principal cells of the epididymal epithelium. The localization of P34H mRNA was in agreement with the appearance of P34H protein along the male reproductive tract. Western blot analysis revealed that recombinant P34H expressed by a yeast expression system, is antigenically related to the native P34H sperm protein. Based on its pattern of expression and its function in one of the key steps leading to fertilization, P34H can be considered as a marker of epididymal sperm maturation in humans.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				V. Thimon, G. Frenette, F. Saez, M. Thabet, and R. Sullivan Protein composition of human epididymosomes collected during surgical vasectomy reversal: a proteomic and genomic approach Hum. Reprod., August 1, 2008; 23(8): 1698 - 1707. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				V. Thimon, E. Calvo, O. Koukoui, C. Legare, and R. Sullivan Effects of Vasectomy on Gene Expression Profiling along the Human Epididymis Biol Reprod, August 1, 2008; 79(2): 262 - 273. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				V. Thimon, O. Koukoui, E. Calvo, and R. Sullivan Region-specific gene expression profiling along the human epididymis Mol. Hum. Reprod., October 1, 2007; 13(10): 691 - 704. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Lefebvre, J. Fan, S. Chevalier, R. Sullivan, E. Carmona, and P. Manjunath Genomic structure and tissue-specific expression of human and mouse genes encoding homologues of the major bovine seminal plasma proteins Mol. Hum. Reprod., January 1, 2007; 13(1): 45 - 53. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. Legare, M. Thabet, J.-L. Gatti, and R. Sullivan HE1/NPC2 status in human reproductive tract and ejaculated spermatozoa: consequence of vasectomy Mol. Hum. Reprod., July 1, 2006; 12(7): 461 - 468. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. Frenette, M. Thabet, and R. Sullivan Polyol Pathway in Human Epididymis and Semen J Androl, March 1, 2006; 27(2): 233 - 239. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. Frenette, C. Legare, F. Saez, and R. Sullivan Macrophage migration inhibitory factor in the human epididymis and semen Mol. Hum. Reprod., August 1, 2005; 11(8): 575 - 582. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. Legare and R. Sullivan Expression and localization of c-ros oncogene along the human excurrent duct Mol. Hum. Reprod., September 1, 2004; 10(9): 697 - 703. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. Legare, M. Thabet, and R. Sullivan Expression of heat shock protein 70 in normal and cryptorchid human excurrent duct Mol. Hum. Reprod., March 1, 2004; 10(3): 197 - 202. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. Legare, N. Verville, and R. Sullivan Vasectomy Influences Expression of HE1 but not HE2 and HE5 Genes in Human Epididymis J Androl, January 1, 2004; 25(1): 30 - 43. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. Frenette, C. Lessard, E. Madore, M. A. Fortier, and R. Sullivan Aldose Reductase and Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor Are Associated with Epididymosomes and Spermatozoa in the Bovine Epididymis Biol Reprod, November 1, 2003; 69(5): 1586 - 1592. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. A. Joshi, S. A. Ranpura, S. A. Khan, and V. V. Khole Monoclonal Antibodies to Epididymis-specific Proteins Using Mice Rendered Immune Tolerant to Testicular Proteins J Androl, July 1, 2003; 24(4): 524 - 533. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. Doiron, C. Legare, F. Saez, and R. Sullivan Effect of Vasectomy on Gene Expression in the Epididymis of Cynomolgus Monkey Biol Reprod, March 1, 2003; 68(3): 781 - 788. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Maeda, H. Kaku, M. Shimada, and T. Nishioka Cloning and sequence analysis of D-erythrulose reductase from chicken: its close structural relation to tetrameric carbonyl reductases Protein Eng. Des. Sel., July 1, 2002; 15(7): 611 - 617. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. Frenette, C. Lessard, and R. Sullivan Selected Proteins of "Prostasome-Like Particles" from Epididymal Cauda Fluid Are Transferred to Epididymal Caput Spermatozoa in Bull Biol Reprod, July 1, 2002; 67(1): 308 - 313. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Nakagawa, S. Ishikura, J. Asami, T. Isaji, N. Usami, A. Hara, T. Sakurai, K. Tsuritani, K. Oda, M. Takahashi, et al. Molecular Characterization of Mammalian Dicarbonyl/L-Xylulose Reductase and Its Localization in Kidney J. Biol. Chem., May 10, 2002; 277(20): 17883 - 17891. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Hammami-Hamza, M. Doussau, J. Bernard, E. Rogier, C. Duquenne, Y. Richard, A. Lefevre, and C. Finaz Cloning and sequencing of SOB3, a human gene coding for a sperm protein homologous to an antimicrobial protein and potentially involved in zona pellucida binding Mol. Hum. Reprod., July 1, 2001; 7(7): 625 - 632. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. Gaudreault, M. El Alfy, C. Legare, and R. Sullivan Expression of the Hamster Sperm Protein P26h During Spermatogenesis Biol Reprod, July 1, 2001; 65(1): 79 - 86. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. Légaré, M. Thabet, S. Picard, and R. Sullivan Effect of Vasectomy on P34H Messenger Ribonucleic Acid Expression along the Human Excurrent Duct: A Reflection on the Function of the Human Epididymis Biol Reprod, February 1, 2001; 64(2): 720 - 727. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				H.-W. Liu, Y.-C. Lin, C.-F. Chao, S.-Y. Chang, and G.-H. Sun GP-83 and GP-39, two glycoproteins secreted by human epididymis are conjugated to spermatozoa during maturation Mol. Hum. Reprod., May 1, 2000; 6(5): 422 - 428. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G.-H. Sun, Y.-C. Lin, Y.-W. Guo, S.-Y. Chang, and H.-W. Liu Purification of GP-83, a glycoprotein secreted by the human epididymis and conjugated to mature spermatozoa Mol. Hum. Reprod., May 1, 2000; 6(5): 429 - 434. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]