The nitric oxide synthase of mouse spermatozoa

FEBS Letters

Viggiano, J.M¹  Goin, J.C¹  Polak, J.M²  Canteros, M.G¹  Perez Martinez, S¹  Herrero, M.B¹  Franchi, A.M¹  Boquet, M¹  Gimeno, M.A.F¹ 

[1] Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos (CEFYBO), Serrano 669 (1414), Buenos Aires, Argentina;Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK

关键词: Nitric oxide synthase;    Western blot;    Nitric oxide;    Spermatozoa;    (Mouse);   

DOI  :  10.1016/S0014-5793(97)00570-X

学科分类：生物化学/生物物理

来源: John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

【 摘 要 】

Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) was evidenced in mature mouse spermatozoa by means of biochemical techniques and Western blot. During 120 min of incubation, 10⁷ spermatozoa synthesized 7±2 pmol of l-[¹⁴C]citrulline. Besides, l-citrulline formation depended on the incubation time and on the concentration of l-arginine present in the incubation medium. Different concentrations of N ^G-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) but not aminoguanidine, inhibited l-[¹⁴C]citrulline formation. Western-blot analysis of solubilized sperm proteins revealed a unique band of M _r=140 kDa with the neural, endothelial and inducible NOS antisera tested. These results provide evidence that mature mouse sperm contains a NOS isoform and that spermatozoa have the potential ability to synthesize NO, suggesting a role for endogenous NO on mammalian sperm function.

【 授权许可】

Unknown