Alteration in the processing of the ACRBP/sp32 protein and sperm head/acrosome malformations in proprotein convertase 4 (PCSK4) null mice.

ABSTRACT: Proprotein convertase 4 (PCSK4) is a member of a family of proprotein convertases that convert inactive precursor proteins into their mature and active forms. PCSK4 is expressed by testicular germ cells and localizes to the sperm acrosome, suggesting roles in fertilization. Mice lacking PCSK4 exhibit a profound fertility defect; yet, to date, few substrates for PCSK4 are known. In this study, two-dimensional differential in-gel electrophoresis analysis was carried out in order to identify proteins that are altered in spermatozoa from PCSK4 null mice. Herein, we report that the sperm fertilization molecule acrosin-binding protein (ACRBP)/sp32, which normally undergoes processing from a 58.5 kDa precursor to a 27.5 kDa mature form, is not proteolytically processed in PCSK4 null mice and thus

SUBMITTER: Tardif S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3358042 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature