Cysteine-rich secretory protein-1 (CRISP-1) is a glycoprotein secreted by the epididymal epithelium. It is a member of a large family of proteins characterized by two conserved domains and a set of 16 conserved cysteine residues. In mammals, CRISP-1 inhibits sperm-egg fusion and can suppress sperm capacitation. The molecular mechanism of action of the mammalian CRISP proteins remains unknown, but certain non-mammalian CRISP proteins can block ion channels. In the rat, CRISP-1 comprises two forms referred to as Proteins D and E. Recent work in our laboratory demonstrates that the D form of CRISP-1 associates transiently with the sperm surface, whereas the E form binds tightly. When the spermatozoa are washed, the E form of CRISP-1 persists on the sperm surface after all D form has dissociated. Cross-linking studies demonstrate different protein-protein interaction patterns for D and E, although no binding partners for either protein have yet been identified. Mass spectrometric analyses revealed a potential post-translational modification on the E form that is not present on the D form. This is the only discernable difference between Proteins D and E, and presumably is responsible for the difference in behavior of these two forms of rat CRISP-1. These studies demonstrate that the more abundant D form interacts with spermatozoa transiently, possibly with a specific receptor on the sperm surface, consistent with a capacitation-suppressing function during sperm transit and storage in the epididymis, and also confirm a tightly bound population of the E form that could act in the female reproductive tract.
Structure and function of epididymal protein cysteine-rich secretory protein-1.
K. Roberts,D. Johnston,M. A. Nolan,J. Wooters,Nicole C. Waxmonsky,L. Piehl,Kathy M. Ensrud-Bowlin,D. W. Hamilton
Published 2007 in Asian Journal of Andrology
ABSTRACT
PUBLICATION RECORD
- Publication year
2007
- Venue
Asian Journal of Andrology
- Publication date
2007-07-01
- Fields of study
Biology, Medicine
- Identifiers
- External record
- Source metadata
Semantic Scholar, PubMed
CITATION MAP
EXTRACTION MAP
CLAIMS
CONCEPTS
- crisp-1
A cysteine-rich secretory protein-1 glycoprotein secreted by the epididymal epithelium.
Aliases: cysteine-rich secretory protein-1
- female reproductive tract
The reproductive tract environment where the tightly bound CRISP-1 form is proposed to act.
Aliases: female tract
- post-translational modification
A chemical alteration added to a protein after translation, examined here as a difference between the two CRISP-1 forms.
Aliases: PTM
- protein d
The rat CRISP-1 proteoform designated D in sperm-binding and cross-linking experiments.
Aliases: D form, form D
- protein e
The rat CRISP-1 proteoform designated E in sperm-binding and mass-spectrometry analyses.
Aliases: E form, form E
- protein-protein interaction patterns
The pattern of protein associations inferred from cross-linking analysis of the two CRISP-1 forms.
Aliases: interaction patterns
- spermatozoa
The male gamete cells used as the binding substrate for CRISP-1 in the reported experiments.
Aliases: sperm
- sperm capacitation
The maturation process that enables sperm to acquire fertilization competence and is discussed as a functional context for CRISP-1.
Aliases: capacitation
- sperm surface
The outer surface of spermatozoa where CRISP-1 forms associate during the reported binding experiments.
Aliases: spermatozoal surface
REFERENCES
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