Isolation and partial characterization of the plasma membrane from human spermatozoa

Ejaculated human spermatozoa were subjected to nitrogen cavitation (600 psi for ten min) to remove the plasma membrane (PM). Electron microscopic examination of the cavitated cells revealed that 33% of the PM was removed from the sperm which includes both the head and tail regions. The released membrane was separated from the cavitated cells by centrifugation followed by a discontinuous sucrose density gradient centrifugation. A single membrane population was resolved at the 1.0 M sucrose interface. Examination of the isolated membranes by electron microscopy revealed vesicles of various sizes displaying unit membrane structures. Biochemical analysis of the isolated membranes showed a threefold enrichment in the surface membrane marker 5' nucleotidase and also suggested little contamination by enzymes from the cytosol (lactate dehydrogenase) or mitochondria (cytochrome oxidase). Analytical lipid analysis of the isolated membranes revealed a 26-fold enrichment in the distribution of cholesterol, an 11-fold enrichment of phospholipids, and a cholesterol:phospholipid molar ratio of 0.83. Also found was a twofold increase in glycosphingolipids which are ubiquitous components of PM in eukaryotic cells. These data indicate that the membrane vesicles isolated after nitrogen cavitation are primarily PM.     

Galactosyltransferase activity is restricted to the plasma membranes of equine and bovine sperm

beta 1, 4-Galactosyltransferase (GalTase) is localized to the plasma membrane of mouse sperm, in which it mediates the binding of sperm to glycoconjugate residues in the egg zona pellucida. In this study, the presence of subcellular distribution of sperm GalTase were determined in two other mammalian species that yield sufficient sperm for subcellular fractionation. Equine and bovine semen were collected, and the plasma membranes (PM), outer acrosomal membranes (OAM), and inner acrosomal membranes (IAM) were sequentially removed. The purities of the isolated membrane preparations were determined by transmission electron microscopy and found to be greater than or equal to 90%, 96%, and 98% for equine PM, OAM, and IAM, respectively, and greater than or equal to 80%, 94%, and 97% for bovine PM, OAM, and IAM, respectively. GalTase activity was assayed under optimal conditions in all membrane preparations and was preferentially localized to the isolated PM both in equine and in bovine spermatozoa. The selective localization of GalTase to the sperm PM in two other species suggest that it may serve as a generalized gamete receptor during initial sperm-egg binding in mammals.     

Proteomic analysis of rat hippocampal plasma membrane: characterization of potential neuronal-specific plasma membrane proteins

The hippocampus is a distinct brain structure that is crucial in memory storage and retrieval. To identify comprehensively proteins of hippocampal plasma membrane (PM) and detect the neuronal-specific PM proteins, we performed a proteomic analysis of rat hippocampus PM using the following three technical strategies. First, proteins of the PM were purified by differential and density-gradient centrifugation from hippocampal tissue and separated by one-dimensional electophoresis, digested with trypsin and analyzed by electrospray ionization (ESI) quadrupole time-of-flight (Q-TOF) tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). Second, the tryptic peptide mixture from PMs purified from hippocampal tissue using the centrifugation method was analyzed by liquid chromatography ion-trap ESI-MS/MS. Finally, the PM proteins from primary hippocampal neurons purified by a biotin-directed affinity technique were separated by one-dimensional electrophoresis, digested with trypsin and analyzed by ESI-Q-TOF-MS/MS. A total of 345, 452 and 336 non-redundant proteins were identified by each technical procedure respectively. There was a total of 867 non-redundant protein entries, of which 64.9% are integral membrane or membrane-associated proteins. One hundred and eighty-one proteins were detected only in the primary neurons and could be regarded as neuronal PM marker candidates. We also found some hypothetical proteins with no functional annotations that were first found in the hippocampal PM. This work will pave the way for further elucidation of the mechanisms of hippocampal function.     

Evaluation of strategy for analyzing mouse liver plasma membrane proteome

Plasma membrane (PM) proteome is one of the major subproteomes present in the cell,and is very important in liver function. In the present work, C57 mouse liver PM was purified by density-gradient centrifugation. The purified PM was verified by electron microscope analysis and Western blotting. The results showed that the PM was enriched by more than 20-fold and the contamination of mitochondria was reduced by 2-fold compared with the homogenization fraction. Proteins were separated by 2DE and 1DE, trypsin-digested and submitted to ESI-Q-TOF and MALDI-TOF-TOF mass spectrometry or directly digested in solution and analyzed by LC-ESI ion trap mass spectrometry. In all, 547 non-redundant mouse liver PM proteins were identified, of which 34% contributed to plasma membrane or plasma membrane-related proteins. This study optimized and evaluated the HLPP plasma membrane proteome analysis method and made a systematic analysis on PM proteome.     

Evaluation of strategy for analyzing mouse liver plasma membrane proteome

Plasma membrane (PM) proteome is one of the major subproteomes present in the cell,and is very important in liver function. In the present work, C57 mouse liver PM was purified by density-gradient centrifugation. The purified PM was verified by electron microscope analysis and Western blotting. The results showed that the PM was enriched by more than 20-fold and the contamination of mitochondria was reduced by 2-fold compared with the homogenization fraction. Proteins were separated by 2DE and 1DE, trypsin-digested and submitted to ESI-Q-TOF and MALDI-TOF-TOF mass spectrometry or directly digested in solution and analyzed by LC-ESI ion trap mass spectrometry. In all, 547 non-redundant mouse liver PM proteins were identified, of which 34% contributed to plasma membrane or plasma membrane-related proteins. This study optimized and evaluated the HLPP plasma membrane proteome analysis method and made a systematic analysis on PM proteome.     

大鼠海马细胞质膜的分离及其蛋白质组学分析

运用差速离心和连续蔗糖密度梯度离心的方法分离纯化成年大鼠海马组织细胞质膜并用Western blotting对质膜样品进行检测.结果表明,在蔗糖密度梯度离心介质中,膜片主要集中于蔗糖浓度为32%~42%的区段(密度约1.13~1.18),其次是20%~25% (密度约1.08~1.10)的区段.39%(密度约1.17)层面上质膜浓度和纯度最高.一维SDS-PAGE分离和CapLC-MS/MS分析后,通过数据库搜寻从大鼠海马组织细胞质膜样品中共鉴定出135种蛋白质, 其中质膜蛋白和与膜相关的蛋白质共70种(占51.9%), 主要包括Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase、Glutamate/aspartate transporter、Lipophilin、GLAST 1a等. 为研究海马组织细胞的功能和大鼠海马组织细胞质膜蛋白质数据库的建立积累了有价值的资料.     

Proteomic analysis of mouse liver plasma membrane: use of differential extraction to enrich hydrophobic membrane proteins

To comprehensively identify proteins of liver plasma membrane (PM), we isolated PMs from mouse liver by sucrose density gradient centrifugation. An optimized extraction method for whole PM proteins and several methods of differential extraction expected to enrich hydrophobic membrane proteins were tested. The extracted PM proteins were separated by 2-DE, and were identified by MALDI-TOF-MS, and ESI-quadrupole-TOF MS. As the complementary method, 1-DE-MS/MS was also used to identify PM proteins. The optimized lysis buffer containing urea, thiourea, CHAPS and NP-40 was able to extract more PM proteins, and treatment of PM samples with chloroform/methanol and sodium carbonate led to enrichment of more hydrophobic PM proteins. From the mouse liver PM fraction, 175 non-redundant gene products were identified, of which 88 (about 50%) were integral membrane proteins with one to seven transmembrane domains. The remaining products were probably membrane-associated and cytosolic proteins. The function distribution of all the identified liver PM proteins was analyzed; 40% represented enzymes, 12% receptors and 9% proteins with unknown function.     

A well-characterized plasma membrane fraction obtained from mouse peritoneal macrophages

A new method was developed to isolate a plasma membrane fraction from lipopolysaccharide-stimulated mouse peritoneal macrophages. Colchicine treatment was followed by sucrose density-gradient centrifugation. Total yield of Na,K-ATPase, a marker of plasma membrane, was 60 +/- 1% with the specific activity of 37 +/- 3 mumol of Pi/mg of protein/h. The preparation contained 1 +/- 1% pinosomes, 2 +/- 1% lysosomes, 17 +/- 2% endoplasmic reticulum, 6 +/-1% mitochondria, and a negligible number of nuclei, as judged by distribution of markers.     

Characterization of human sperm plasma membrane: glycolipids and polypeptides

The plasma membranes from ejaculated human spermatozoa were removed by nitrogen cavitation (600 PSI for 10 min) and isolated by centrifugation followed by a discontinuous sucrose density gradient centrifugation. Glycolipid analysis of the plasma membrane revealed a three-fold enrichment in gangliosides: GM3 and GD1a/GD1b and neutral glycolipids: globoside and sulfatide as compared to that of whole human sperm. Two dimensional electrophoresis of human sperm plasma membranes revealed about 75 polypeptides. Several of these polypeptides were similar in migration and in display of shape and color to that found in boar sperm plasma membranes.     

Involvement of an F-actin skeleton on the acrosome reaction in guinea pig spermatozoa

The acrosome reaction (AR) is a regulated exocytotic process. In several cell types, an actin network situated under the plasma membrane (PM) acts as a physical barrier to prevent this exocytosis. In seeking a function for a cortical skeleton in guinea pig spermatozoa, the PM and the outer acrosomal membrane (OAM) were investigated for the presence of F-actin and spectrin, proteins generally found in cell cortical skeletons. Both membrane types were visualized in whole-mount preparations by electron microscopy. PM proteins gave positive reaction to the Na(+),K(+)-ATPase antibody and the OAM proteins did not react to the antibody. Furthermore, a Triton X-100-resistant skeleton was obtained from both membrane types. Using gold immunoelectron microscopy, F-actin was visualized in the PM and in the OAM skeletons, while spectrin was only detected in the PM skeleton. The presence of an F-actin cortical skeleton in the sperm PM suggests that F-actin may be involved in the AR. The significantly higher number of AR elicited by cytochalasin D (Cyt-D) treatment(P<0.005) and data showing a significant (P>0.03) decrease in F-actin relative concentration in capacitating spermatozoa, agree with this suggestion. Furthermore, the proposal is strengthened by the fact that stabilization of F-actin by phalloidin (Ph) significantly (P>0.01) diminished AR induced by Ca(2+) in a streptolysin O (SLO)-permeabilized sperm model.     

Phospholipids of rabbit and bull sperm membranes: Structural order parameter and steady-state fluorescence anistropy of membranes and membrane leaflets

The plasma (PM), outer acrosomal (OAM), and inner acrosomal membranes (IAM) were isolated from rabbit and bull spermatozoa and the major phospholipids characterized. Choline-containing phospholipids, phosphatidylcholine (PC) and sphingomyelin (SM), constituted more than 60% of the total phospholipids (TPL) in all membranes of both species. Approximately more than 50% of PC in membrane preparations contained some form of ether linkage. Compared to OAM and IAM, cholesterol to phospholipid molar ratio was highest in PM of both species. Contrarily, protein to phospholipid ratio for PM was lowest compared to other membranes. The sphingomyelin to phosphatidylcholine ratio increased in the direction from PM to OAM to IAM. The hydrophobic fluorescent probe 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH) was used to examine both the steady-state fluorescence anisotropy parameters and structural order parameter S_DPH. The data showed higher rigidity in rabbit spermatozoa compared to bull spermatozoa (S_DPH = 0.7582 and S_DPH = 0.7326). In both species OAM had higher rigidity compared to the other two membranes (S_DPH(OAM) = 0.7809, S_DPH(PM) = 0.7308, and S_DPH(IAM) = 0.7481 for bull; S_DPH(OAM) = 0.8091, S_DPH(PM)= 0.7857, and S_DPH(IAM) = 0.7663 for rabbit). The inner leaflets of bull and rabbit spermatozoal membranes had significantly higher rigidity than the outer leaflets (for inner leaflet: rabbit-S_DPH(PM) = 0.8391, S_DPH(OAM) = 0.8149, and S_DPH(IAM) = 0.7675; bull-S_DPH(PM) = 0.8000, S_DPH(OAM) = 0.7990, and S_DPH(IAM) = 0.7990, and for outer leaflet: rabbit-S_DPH(PM) = 0.7021, S_DPH(OAM) = 0.7145, and S_DPH(IAM) = 0.6867; bull-S_DPH(PM) = 0.6986, S_DPH(OAM) = 0.5980, and S_DPH(IAM) = 0.7388). © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Cell membrane isolation from plasmodium ofPhysarum polycephalum

Plasmodia were fractionated to isolate a cell membrane rich fraction by sucrose density-gradient centrifugation. The fractions were identified by electron microscopic observation, PTA-chromic acid staining and assays of marker enzymes, applying the methods for cell membranes of higher plants. The cell membranes were recovered on the density of 1.13 g·cm⁻³.     

Isolation, homogeneity, and properties of core particle from pyocin R1.

By a mild alkaline treatment of pyocin R1, the core particle was released from the contracted sheath. After sucrose density-gradient centrifugation, core-rich fractions were treated with anti-sheath serum and by a second density-gradient centrifugation, purified core particles were isolated. Homogeneity of the preparation was confirmed by observation under the electron microscope, immuno-precipitation reaction, and sucrose density-gradient centrifugation. The core particle exhibited a sedimentation coefficient of 37S. The quaternary structure of the core consists of a single kind of subunit protein with a molecular weight of 18,000. No contamination by other proteins was detected by SDS-disc electrophoreses. Amino acid analysis revealed that the core is rich in glycine, alanine, valine, leucine, aspartic acid (or asparagine), glutamic acid (or glutamine), and serine. This amino acid composition bears some resemblance to that of T-even bacteriophage tail-core.     

Efficiency of short-term storage of equine semen in a simple-design cooling system

Five experiments tested the efficiency of a simple, low-cost system (CP) for cooling and storing equine semen at 2.0 degrees C for 24 h and 48 h. Pantaneiro stallions of known fertility were used. Semen quality was evaluated for progressive motility (PM), plasma membrane integrity (PMI), and pregnancy rate. Experiment 1 showed that PM and PMI were similar between CP and the control (Equitainer) in cooled semen. In Experiment 2, the influence was evaluated of combinations (four treatments) of two volumes (50/100 ml) and two sperm concentrations (500/750x10(6)) on sperm quality of semen cooled and preserved by CP (cooling system replaced at 24 h). While PM decreased gradually from before cooling to 24 h and 48 h, PMI decreased only at the least and greatest sperm volume and concentrations. Storage time did not affect PMI. Results from Experiment 3 showed that CP maintained semen PM>or=30% in all samples 24 h after cooling and decreased to about 70% 42 h after cooling. Results from Experiments 4 and 5 confirmed semen quality after cooling and storage (24 h and 48 h, respectively), achieving a 69% pregnancy rate in the first estrous cycle when insemination occurred. Thus, the CP system is satisfactory for cooling and preserving equine semen for up to 48 h.     

Changes in quality of stallion spermatozoa during cryopreservation: Plasma membrane integrity and motion characteristics

Better procedures for freezing and thawing equine sperm are needed since variable fertility is obtained when cryopreserved sperm are used. To evaluate current methods of freezing equine sperm, we examined spermatozoal quality by means of two new techniques. These measured the integrity of plasma-acrosomal membranes by immunofluorescent analyses of binding of an antibody specific to the acrosome and evaluated eight parameters of spermatozoal motion using a fully automated computerized system. Five ejaculates from each of eight stallions were processed for freezing in egg yolk-lactose extender with 4% glycerol. Spermatozoal quality was assessed at four different points: at less than 15 min after collecting and before processing (Step 1); after centrifugation and just before freezing (Step 2); immediately after thawing less than 3 h after freezing (Step 3); and immediately after thawing 10 to 20 d after freezing (Step 4). Acrosome-specific monoclonal antibody detected differences (P <0.05) among steps and ejaculates within stallions. All parameters of spermatozoal motion, including the percentage of motile sperm, percentage of progressively motile sperm, curvilinear velocity, straight line velocity, linearity, amplitude of lateral head displacement, and radius of the average path for circularly swimming sperm, differed (P <0.05) among steps, and most of these parameters differed among ejaculates within a stallion and among stallions. For Steps 2 and 3, 62 and 37% of the sperm were motile, and 56 and 23% of all motile sperm had a curvilinear velocity of >100 mum/sec. Most damage to sperm occurred as a result of freezing-thawing, whereas centrifugation of sperm caused only minor damage.     

大麦根质膜微囊的制备及其H~ ,Ca~(2 )转运活性

用蔗糖密度梯度离心法制备出密闭程度较高的大麦根细胞质膜微囊。喹吖咽荧光猝灭和~(45)Ca~(2 )同位素示踪测定表明所制备的微囊具H~ ,Ca~(2 )转运活性。对制备出的质膜制剂纯度和膜朝向进行了分析,并探讨了质膜纯化中影响膜微囊密闭性的因素。匀浆液和悬浮液巾的单价离子盐有利于密闭膜微囊的形成。蔗糖密度梯度和葡聚糖密度睇度离心法均可得到密闭性较高的膜微囊,但后者的纯化效果较差。     

Mass Isolation and Preservation of Viable Sperm Cells in Brassica campestris var.purpurea

The two-step osmotic shock and grinding methods reported by Yang and Zhou (1989) were modified for isolation of viable sperm cells in large quantities from pollen grains of Brassica campestris var. purpurea. Factors affecting the yield and survival of isolated sperm cells have been investigated. These included physiological status of donor flowers, sucrose concentration used for pollen hydration, basic media, protectants and osmotica supplemented in the medium etc. As a result, two procedures have been developed. For osmotic shock method, pollen grains at the day of anthesis were hydrated in 25% sucrose solution for 30 min and, after centrifugation and removal of the supernatant, the pellet was shocked by a medium containing 12.5% sucrose, 0.1 g/L KNO3, 0.36 g/L CaCl2, 2H2O, 0.3% potassium dextran sulphate (PDS), 0.6% bovine serum albumin (BSA), and 0.3% polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). The viable sperm yield was 34%. After removal of pollen wall debris by filtration and centrifugation, the sperm cell-rich pellets were resuspended in a medium containing 20% sucrose, 5% sorbitol, 0.1 g/L KNOs, 0.36g/L CaCl2·2H2O, 0.6% BSA and 0.3% PDS, and preserved at 4℃ for two days. For grinding method, the pollen grains hydrated in 30% sucrose solution for 30 min. were resuspended in a medium containing 20% sucrose, 5% sorbitol, 0.1g/L QNO3, 0.36g/L CaCl2·2H2O, 0.3% PDS, 0.6% BSA, 0.3% PVP and 20 μg/ml fluorescein diacetate, then ground with a glass homogenizer to release the sperm cells. The viable sperm yield was up to 86%. Following filtration and centrifugation for removal of pollen wall debris, the sperm cells were stored at 4℃ in the same medium but without supplementation of PVP. Tested by fluorochromatic reaction, the sperm cells could survive up to one week with a gradual decline of viability. Cytological observations revealed that pairs of ellipsoidal sperm cells just released were linked together; one of the pair had a long tail-like extension which also show fluorochromasia. Soon after, the sperm cells separated and turned to be spherical. The present results open a prospect to use isolated viable sperm cells for further experimental manipulations.     

The membrane proteins of the vacuolar system. II. Bidirectional flow between secondary lysosomes and plasma membrane

Lactoperoxidase covalently coupled to latex spheres (LPO-latex) has been used to selectively iodinate the phagolysome (PL) membrane within living macrophages, as discussed in the accompanying article. This procedure labeled approximately 24 polypeptides in the PL membrane; these were similar to those iodinatable on the external surface of the plasma membrane (PM). We now report on the translocation and fate of these proteins when the cells are returned to culture. TCA-precipitable radioactivity was lost from cells with biphasic kinetics. 20-50% of the cell-associated radiolabel was rapidly digested (t 1/2 approximately equal to 1 h) and recovered in the culture medium as monoiodotyrosine. 50-80% of the label was lost slowly from cells ( 1/2 approximately equal to 24-30 h). Quantitative analysis of gel autoradiograms showed that all radiolabeled proteins were lost at the same rate in both the rapid and slow phases of digestion. Within 15-30 min aftr labeling of the PL membrane, EM autoradiography revealed that the majority of the cell-associated grains, which at time 0 were associated with PL, were now randomly dispersed over the plasmalemma. At this time, analysis of PM captured by a second phagocytic load revealed the presence of all labeled species originally present in the PL membrane. This demonstrated the rapid, synchronous centrifugal flow of PL polypeptides to the cell surface. Evidence was also obtained for the continuous influx of representative samples of the PM into the PL compartment by way of pinocytic vesicles. This was based on the constant flow of fluid phase markers into latex-containing PL and on the internalization of all iodinatable PM polypeptides into this locus. These observations provide evidence for the continuous, bidirectional flow of membrane polypeptides between the PM and the secondary lysosome and represent an example of a membrane flow and recycling mechanism.     

Comparisons of oocyte maturation times and of three methods of sperm preparation for their effects on the production of goat embryos in vitro

Various times of in vitro maturation of oocytes, and three methods of separating spermatozoa from frozen-thawed semen (Percoll density-gradient centrifugation, swim-up, and glass-wool filtration), were compared for their effects on goat embryo production in vitro. Cumulus-oocyte-complexes (COCs) from abattoir ovaries were matured in M199 supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum and hormones. In Experiment 1, COCs were fixed at 4 h intervals from 0 to 27 h of culture to assess oocyte nuclear maturation. A higher proportion cultured for 27 h than for 24 h were in Metaphase II (27/37, 73% vs. 18/33, 55%, P < 0.05). In Experiment 2, the effects of separation methods on total numbers and numbers of membrane-intact spermatozoa, and the acrosome reaction were compared. Total numbers after Percoll density-gradient centrifugation were approximately 4 times higher than after swim-up and approximately 2 times higher than after glass-wool filtration (P < 0.001). Progression of the acrosome reaction was not affected differentially. In Experiments 3 and 4, after 27 h of culture the COCs were inseminated with sperm isolated by the three methods. In Experiment 3, presumptive zygotes were examined for pronucleus (PN) formation at 6, 12, 18 and 24 h post-insemination. At 12 h, male PN formation rate from Percoll-treated spermatozoa was higher than from sperm subjected to swim-up and glass-wool treatments (20/37, 54% vs. 6/37, 16% and 6/38, 16%, respectively; P < 0.001). In Experiment 4, embryos were compared for cleavage at 48 h and development into blastocysts, hatching rates and cell number at 192 h. The rates of cleavage and blastocyst formation in the Percoll-treated group were higher (P < 0.05) than in the swim-up and glass-wool groups (62% and 18% vs. 50% and 11%, and 45% and 8%, respectively). Similarly, the mean cell number in the Percoll group was higher (P < 0.05) than in the swim-up and glass-wool groups (167 +/- 5 vs. 149 +/- 4 and 126 +/- 4, respectively). We conclude that Percoll density-gradient centrifugation is superior to the other two methods for separating goat spermatozoa from frozen-thawed semen in preparation for IVF.