Ascidian sperm activating and attracting factor: Importance of sulfate groups for the activities and implication of its putative receptor

Manabu Yoshida, Kogiku Shiba, Kaoru Yoshida, Hiroshi Tsuchikawa, Ouichirou Ootou, Toru Oishi, Michio Murata

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

12 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The sperm activating and attracting factor (SAAF) from the eggs of the ascidian Ciona intestinalis was identified as the sulfated polyhydroxysterol,3α,4β,7α,26-tetrahydroxy-5α-cholestane-3,26-disulfate. We present a functional analysis of SAAF derivatives that reveals the roles of the various SAAF functional groups. Optical isomerism does not affect SAAF activities. Hydrolysis on one side, i.e. at the sulfate groups of SAAF, decreases the sperm-activating and sperm-attracting activities, while hydrolysis on both sides resulted in the loss of both activities. Biotinylated-SAAF lost its sperm-activating ability, but retained sperm-binding and chemotactic abilities. Thus, the sulfate groups of SAAF are responsible for these activities.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3429-3433
Number of pages5
JournalFEBS Letters
Volume582
Issue number23-24
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 15 2008
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Biophysics
  • Structural Biology
  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Cell Biology

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