Organ-specific binding system for β-galactosidase the male reproductive tract
Article
Grimalt, P, Barbieri, MA, Sosa, MA et al. (1995). Organ-specific binding system for β-galactosidase the male reproductive tract
. 18(5), 243-247. 10.1111/ijan.1995.18.5.243
Grimalt, P, Barbieri, MA, Sosa, MA et al. (1995). Organ-specific binding system for β-galactosidase the male reproductive tract
. 18(5), 243-247. 10.1111/ijan.1995.18.5.243
This study reports on the binding of P-galactosidase obtained from different organs of the rat urogenital tract to membranes of these organs. Homologous and cross binding saturation assays indicated that: (1) high-affinity sites that recognize fructose-6-phosphate derivates (FPR) are present in spermatozoa from the rete testis, epididymal membranes and testes, although the latter may reflect binding to testicular spermatozoa; (2) the membranes of the other organs studied do not have FPR; (3) the FPR of the epididymis does not recognize enzymes purified from other organs of the reproductive tract. These results suggest that the FPR-binding system belongs to a peculiar transport route that permits maturing spermatozoa to acquire hydrolytic enzymes secreted by the epididymal epithelium. In the epididymis and seminal vesicles more than 50% of the enzymatic activity of β-galactosidase was recovered in cytosol, suggesting that the enzyme is located mainly in the secretory fluid of these organs.
