Sea urchin sperm aminopeptidase: comparative studies of sperm-associated and -solubilized enzymes

Aminopeptidase activity was demonstrated in the spermatozoa of the sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus intermedius. The enzyme solubilized from sperm cells was inactivated with bestatin, amastatin, p-chloromercuribenzenesulfonate, ZnCl2, and trypsin, whereas that in the intact cells was scarcely affected by these agents. On the other hand, bestatin ethyl ester inactivated the two enzyme forms to almost the same extent. It also inhibited the fertilization process in this species. These results suggest that the aminopeptidase associated with the spermatozoa is shielded with a permeable barrier and plays some role in fertilization.