Isolation of a new actin-binding protein from human seminal plasma

Interaction of a protein of human seminal plasma with actin was detected by agar gel immunoelectrophoresis. A major actin-binding protein was isolated from human seminal plasma using an actin-Sepharose 4B column followed by fast-performance liquid chromatography with an anion-exchange Mono-Q column. The protein showed a single band under reduced conditions on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in a position corresponding to a molecular mass of 20 kDa. This 20 kDa polypeptide was detected in saliva and extracts of the submandibular gland and seminal vesicles as well as seminal plasma by the method of immunoblotting using monospecific antibody against the 20 kDa antigenic component of human seminal plasma. The protein might be called secretory actin-binding protein (SABP).