Identification of ejaculated proteins in the house mouse (Mus domesticus) via isotopic labeling.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Seminal fluid plays an important role in successful fertilization, but knowledge of the full suite of proteins transferred from males to females during copulation is incomplete. The list of ejaculated proteins remains particularly scant in one of the best-studied mammalian systems, the house mouse (Mus domesticus), where artificial ejaculation techniques have proven inadequate. Here we investigate an alternative method for identifying ejaculated proteins, by isotopically labeling females with 15N and then mating them to unlabeled, vasectomized males. Proteins were then isolated from mated females and identified using mass spectrometry. In addition to gaining insights into possible functions and fates of ejaculated proteins, our study serves as proof of concept that isoto

SUBMITTER: Dean MD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3144466 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature