Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2012:2012:816536.
doi: 10.1155/2012/816536. Epub 2012 Oct 15.

Human Sperm Interaction with Staphylococcus aureus: A Molecular Approach

Sonia Gupta  1 , Vijay Prabha
Affiliations

Human Sperm Interaction with Staphylococcus aureus: A Molecular Approach

Sonia Gupta et al. J Pathog. 2012.

Abstract

Sperm immobilization factor (SIF) causing 100% immobilization of spermatozoa isolated from Staphylococcus aureus when characterized using LC-MS (Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry) showed that this 20 kDa protein had peptide sequence similarity with hsp-70 protein. It was found to completely (100%) inhibit Mg(++) ATPase activity of spermatozoa at concentration of 100 μg mL(-1). Sperm samples treated with SIF also showed reduction in calcium ionophore-induced acrosome reaction as compared to control samples (treated with calcium ionophore alone). Binding studies of FITC labelled SIF with spermatozoa using fluorescent microscopy showed binding of SIF to the surface of spermatozoa indicating the presence of SIF binding receptor. The receptor was extracted by 3M NaCl and purified by gel permeation chromatography. Characterization of the receptor by MALDI-TOF (Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight) indicated that the receptor shared sequence similarity with MHC class II antigen. A calorimetric study showed that the receptor moiety on spermatozoa was specific for the purified ligand as binding of the receptor to ligand was enthalpically (-11.9 kJ mole(-1)) as well as entropically (21.53 J mole(-1) K(-1)) favored resulting in the Gibb's free energy of -18.57 kJ mole(-1).

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Red or pink staining of the acrosomal region indicated intact acrosomes, whereas white, brown, or yellowish acrosomes were interpreted as acrosome reacted. Induced sperm acrosome reaction on treatment with calcium ionophore (1000x)-positive control (a). Effect of SIF on calcium ionophore induced sperm acrosome reaction (1000x) (b). Sperm acrosome reaction on treatment with DMSO (1000x)-negative control (c). Effect of SIF on sperm acrosome reaction in DMSO-treated sample (1000x) (d).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Fluorescent microscopy of human spermatozoa incubated with FITC labelled SIF 1000x.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Momoh ARM, Idonije BO, Nwoke EO, et al. Pathogenic bacteria-a probable cause of primary infertility among couples in Ekpoma. Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology Research. 2011;1:66–71.
    1. Emokpae MA, Uadia PO, Sadiq NM. Contribution of bacterial infection to male infertility in Nigerians. Online Journal of Health and Allied Sciences. 2009;8(1):1–5.
    1. Okon KO, Nwaogwu M, Zailani SO, Chana C. Pattern of seminal fluid indices among infertile male partners attending the infertility clinic of University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri, Nigeria. Highland Medical Research Journal. 2005;1:18–23.
    1. Okonofua FE, Ako-Nai KA, Dighitoghi MD. Lower genital tract infections in infertile Nigerian women compared with controls. Genitourinary Medicine. 1995;71(3):163–168. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Huwe P, Diemer T, Ludwig M, Liu J, Schiefer HG, Weidner W. Influence of different uropathogenic microorganisms on human sperm motility parameters in an in vitro experiment. Andrologia. 1998;30(1):55–59. - PubMed