Collect. Czech. Chem. Commun. 2004, 69, 461-475
https://doi.org/10.1135/cccc20040461

Boar Seminal Plasma Proteins and Their Binding Properties. A Review

Věra Jonákováa and Marie Ticháb,*

a Institute of Molecular Genetics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Flemingovo nám. 2, 166 37 Prague 6, Czech Republic
b Department of Biochemistry, Charles University in Prague, Albertov 2030, 128 40 Prague 2, Czech Republic

Abstract

Binding properties of a group of proteins isolated from boar seminal plasma and their role in the fertilization process are discussed. Boar seminal plasma contains different types of proteins: spermadhesins of AQN and AWN family, DQH and PSP proteins belong to the most abundant. Some of these proteins are bound to the sperm surface during ejaculation and thus protein-coating layers are formed. Sperms coated with proteins participate in different types of interactions in the following steps of the fertilization process: formation of oviductal sperm reservoir, sperm capacitation, oocyte recognition and sperm binding. Saccharide-based interactions of boar seminal plasma proteins play role in the binding of sperm to oviductal epithelium, in sperm capacitation and primary binding of sperm to zona pellucida. An interaction with phospholipid components is responsible for the protein adsorption to sperm membrane. Interactions between proteins participate in the arrangement and remodelling of sperm-coating layers. Study of boar seminal plasma proteins, their characterization and elucidation of their interactions will contribute to understanding the fertilization process. A review with 82 references.

Keywords: Seminal plasma proteins; Boar seminal plasma; Binding properties of proteins; Fertilization; Sperm; Spermadhesins; Gametes.

References: 82 live references.