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Studies on bonnet monkey cervical mucus. The effect of proteases on mucus glycoproteins of Macaca radiata
Abstract:
The influence of proteinases on monkey cervical glycoproteins was investigated to assess their effect on cervical mucus and, thereby, on sperm penetration. The major component of periovulatory cervical mucus, a high molecular weight glycoprotein, was treated with Pronase, trypsin, chymotrypsin, papain, and bovine seminal peptidase, and the enzyme-resistant glycoprotein was purified by gel filtration on Sepharose 2B. A macromolecular component in high yield was recovered containing carbohydrate and protein moieties. Asialoglycoprotein, on treatment with Pronase, trypsin, and bovine seminal peptidase released more than one glycoprotein fragment. The carbohydrate and amino acid components of the native and degraded glycoproteins were similar in composition with variations in proportions. The structure of the carbohydrate-rich, pronase-resistant glycoprotein, further purified on Sepharose 2B, was examined. Sequential Smith degradation and methylation of the degraded glycoprotein fragment established a structure that shows some differences to that of the native glycoprotein. The influence of proteinases on cervical-mucus glycoproteins and a possible mechanism of sperm penetration through Pronase-treated glycoproteins is discussed.
Insights
Proteinases alter monkey cervical glycoproteins, impacting cervical mucus structure and potentially facilitating sperm penetration. This study reveals structural differences in enzyme-degraded glycoproteins.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Glycobiology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Cervical mucus glycoproteins play a crucial role in regulating sperm transport.
- Understanding the enzymatic degradation of these glycoproteins is key to reproductive processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of various proteinases on monkey cervical glycoproteins.
- To elucidate the structural changes in glycoproteins after enzymatic treatment.
- To explore the implications for sperm penetration through cervical mucus.
Main Methods:
- Treatment of high molecular weight cervical mucus glycoproteins with Pronase, trypsin, chymotrypsin, papain, and bovine seminal peptidase.
- Purification of enzyme-resistant glycoproteins using Sepharose 2B gel filtration.
- Structural analysis of native and degraded glycoproteins, including sequential Smith degradation and methylation.
Main Results:
- Proteinase treatment released multiple glycoprotein fragments from asialoglycoproteins.
- Carbohydrate and amino acid compositions showed variations in proportions between native and degraded glycoproteins.
- Structural examination revealed differences in the carbohydrate-rich, pronase-resistant glycoprotein compared to the native form.
Conclusions:
- Proteinases significantly modify the structure of cervical mucus glycoproteins.
- These modifications may influence the biophysical properties of cervical mucus.
- The study discusses a potential mechanism for sperm penetration through enzyme-modified cervical glycoproteins.