Expresion of neural cadherin in human male reproductive tract and in spermatozoa

MARIN BRIGGILER, CI; LAPYCKYJ, L; DEL POZO, M; VAZQUEZ LEVIN, M

Buenos Aires

Jornada; XI Jornadas Anuales de la Sociedad Argentina de Biología; 2009

Sociedad Argentina de Biología

Introduction: Neural cadherin (N-cad) is a glycoprotein involved in calcium-dependent cell-cell adhesion. Our group has described its localization in human spermatozoa in different functional states Objetives: To evaluate the expression of N-cad transcript and protein in tissues from the human male reproductive tract and in human spermatozoa. Methods: 1) Levels of N-cad mRNA expression in human testis and epididymis were quantitated and presence of the transcript in ejaculated spermatozoa was determined; 2) Testicular and sperm N-cad protein forms were identified and N-cad association to the male gamete was analyzed; 3) Presence and localization of N-cad protein in spermatozoa recovered from the testis were evaluated. Results and Discussion: N-cad transcript was detected in sperm and testicular RNA samples; transcript levels in the testis were 99.95 times higher than those in the epididymis. The complete N-cad form of 135 kDa was identified in testicular and sperm extracts, but it was not detected in the epididymis. Sperm N-cad was extracted with detergents, confirming the transmembrane nature of this protein. N-cad was mainly localized in the acrosomal region of human testicular spermatozoa (64±6%, mean±SEM; n=4), as described in ejaculated cells. The studies showed the expression of N-cad transcript and protein in human testis, and detection of the later in testicular spermatozoa, suggesting the testicular origin of the sperm N-cad.