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Related Experiment Videos

Peptidase activities in human semen.

David Fernández1, Asier Valdivia, Jon Irazusta

  • 1Department of Physiology, Medical School, University of the Basque Country, P.O. Box 699, Bilbao, Spain. ofpfeosd@lg.ehu.es

Peptides
|February 12, 2002
PubMed
Summary

Enkephalins

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Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Biology
  • Biochemistry
  • Enzymology

Background:

  • Enkephalins, endogenous opioids, are found in human semen.
  • Their specific physiological role in semen remains largely uncharacterized.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the activity and localization of key enkephalin-degrading enzymes in human seminal fractions.
  • To explore the potential involvement of these enzymes and their substrates in seminal physiology.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of enkephalin-degrading enzyme activities: puromycin-sensitive alanyl aminopeptidase (AAP-S), puromycin-insensitive alanyl aminopeptidase N (Ap N), and neprilysin (NEP).
  • Fractionation of human seminal fluid, sperm, and prostasomes.
  • Enzyme activity assays on soluble and particulate fractions.

Main Results:

  • AAP-S activity was undetectable in all seminal fractions analyzed.
  • Ap N activity was detected in soluble and particulate sperm fractions, seminal fluid, and prostasomes.
  • Neprilysin (NEP) activity was exclusively localized to prostasome membranes.
  • High enzyme activity in prostasomes suggests a significant role.

Conclusions:

  • Alanyl aminopeptidase N and neprilysin are present in human seminal fractions, particularly prostasomes.
  • These enzymes, along with their substrates, may play a crucial role in the physiological functions of human semen.

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