Galectin-3 is a substrate for prostate specific antigen (PSA) in human seminal plasma

In the present work, prostate specific antigen (PSA) glycosylation was examined by lectin affinity methods. The results obtained indicated that PSA purified from human seminal plasma contained at least one bianntenary N-linked oligosaccharide chain, which was composed of the monosaccharides manose, galactose, N-acetylgalactosamine, fucose and sialic acid. No O-linked carbohydrate chains were detected.

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PROSTATE-SPECIFIC ANTIGEN (PSA) IN HUMAN SEMINAL PLASMA

Archives of Andrology ◽

10.1080/014850199262850 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 42 (3) ◽

pp. 193-197 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

G. SCHIEFERSTEIN

Keyword(s):

Prostate Specific Antigen ◽

Seminal Plasma ◽

Specific Antigen ◽

Human Seminal Plasma

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Functionally active protein C inhibitor/plasminogen activator inhibitor-3 (PCI/PAI-3) is secreted in seminal vesicles, occurs at high concentrations in human seminal plasma and complexes with prostate-specific antigen

Thrombosis Research ◽

10.1016/0049-3848(91)90002-e ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 64 (3) ◽

pp. 309-320 ◽

Cited By ~ 93

Author(s):

Francisco España ◽

Juan Gilabert ◽

Amparo Estellés ◽

Alberto Romeu ◽

Justo Aznar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Prostate Specific Antigen ◽

Seminal Plasma ◽

Protein C ◽

Specific Antigen ◽

Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor ◽

Seminal Vesicles ◽

Human Seminal Plasma ◽

Active Protein ◽

High Concentrations ◽

Activator Inhibitor

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The role of galectin-3 in spermatozoa-zona pellucida binding and its association with fertilization in vitro

MHR Basic science of reproductive medicine ◽

10.1093/molehr/gaz030 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 25 (8) ◽

pp. 458-470 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Si Mei ◽

Panyu Chen ◽

Cheuk-Lun Lee ◽

Weie Zhao ◽

Ying Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Seminal Plasma ◽

Zona Pellucida ◽

Binding Capacity ◽

Fertilization Rate ◽

Clinical Samples ◽

Fertilization In Vitro ◽

Human Seminal Plasma ◽

Sperm Surface ◽

Galectin 3

AbstractHuman spermatozoa can fertilize an oocyte only after post-testicular maturation and capacitation. These processes involve dynamic modification and reorganization of the sperm plasma membrane, which allow them to bind to the zona pellucida (ZP) of the oocyte. Defective sperm-ZP binding is one of the major causes of male subfertility. Galectin-3 is a secretory lectin in human seminal plasma well known for its action on cell adhesion. The aim of this study was to determine the role of galectin-3 in spermatozoa-ZP interaction and its association with fertilization rate in clinical assisted reproduction. Our studies revealed that the acrosomal region of ejaculated and capacitated spermatozoa possess strong galectin-3 immunoreactivity, which is much stronger than that of epididymal spermatozoa. Expression of galectin-3 can also be detected on seminal plasma-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) and can be transferred to the sperm surface. Blocking of sperm surface galectin-3 function by antibody or carbohydrate substrate reduced the ZP-binding capacity of spermatozoa. Purified galectin-3 is capable of binding to ZP, indicating that galectin-3 may serve as a cross-linking bridge between ZP glycans and sperm surface glycoproteins. Galectin-3 levels in seminal plasma-derived EVs were positively associated with fertilization rates. These results suggest that galectin-3 in EVs is transferred to the sperm surface during post-testicular maturation and plays a crucial role in spermatozoa-ZP binding after capacitation. Reduced galectin-3 expression in seminal plasma-derived EVs may be a cause behind a low fertilization rate. Further studies with more clinical samples are required to confirm the relationship between galectin-3 levels and IVF outcomes.

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