Semenogelin I and semenogelin II, the major gel-forming proteins in human semen, are substrates for transglutaminase

Eur J Biochem. 1998 Mar 1;252(2):216-21. doi: 10.1046/j.1432-1327.1998.2520216.x.

Abstract

The major seminal vesicle secreted proteins in human semen, semenogelin I and semenogelin II, interact non-covalently and via disulphide bridges to instantly form a coagulum upon ejaculation. The coagulum is liquefied after a few minutes due to the action of a prostatic serine protease, prostate-specific antigen (PSA). In contrast to rat semen, which forms an insoluble plug within minutes of expulsion, no transglutaminase-mediated cross-linking has been demonstrated in ejaculated human semen. However, we here show that semenogelin I and semenogelin II, both in seminal vesicle fluid and purified from semen, are substrates for factor XIIIa, the fibrin cross-linking transglutaminase. The cross-linking of the semenogelins, which was conformation-dependent, and the incorporation of a fluorescence-labelled amine, were visualised by SDS/PAGE and Western blot. Purified semenogelin I and semenogelin II could be cross-linked separately into complexes. Moreover, digestion of semenogelin with PSA produced fragments, some of which were cross-linked into complexes by factor XIIIa. We also found that PSA was unable to release any semenogelin fragments during exposure of the high molecular-mass complexes of cross-linked semenogelin to active PSA.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cadaverine / analogs & derivatives
  • Cadaverine / metabolism
  • Calcium / pharmacology
  • Cross-Linking Reagents / metabolism
  • Disulfides / metabolism
  • Dithiothreitol / pharmacology
  • Fluorescent Dyes / metabolism
  • Gonadal Steroid Hormones / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Peptide Fragments / metabolism
  • Prostate-Specific Antigen / metabolism
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
  • Semen / chemistry*
  • Seminal Vesicle Secretory Proteins*
  • Solubility
  • Substrate Specificity
  • Transglutaminases / metabolism*
  • Urea / pharmacology

Substances

  • Cross-Linking Reagents
  • Disulfides
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Gonadal Steroid Hormones
  • Peptide Fragments
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Seminal Vesicle Secretory Proteins
  • seminal vesicle-specific antigen
  • monodansylthiacadaverine
  • Urea
  • Transglutaminases
  • Prostate-Specific Antigen
  • Cadaverine
  • Calcium
  • Dithiothreitol