Presence of DAZL transcript and protein in mature human spermatozoa

Fertil Steril. 2002 Mar;77(3):626-9. doi: 10.1016/s0015-0282(01)03226-5.

Abstract

Objective: To identify the DAZL transcript and protein location in human spermatozoa.

Design: In vitro experiment.

Setting: University-based reproductive genetics laboratory.

Patient(s): A fertile volunteer.

Intervention(s): Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blot, and immunostaining for DAZL.

Main outcome measure(s): Expression of DAZL in human spermatozoa.

Result(s): The DAZL-specific primers yield a 128 bp product in ejaculate. A protein of approximately 33.5 kDa was detected by Western blot analysis. Immunofluorescence staining showed strong homogeneous staining in the midpiece of spermatozoa and weak staining in the principal piece. A speckled-type distribution was found in the head region.

Conclusion(s): The DAZL transcript and protein are present in human spermatozoa. The roles of DAZL protein in sperm motility and in the sperm-oocyte interaction await further investigation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Blotting, Western
  • DNA, Complementary / genetics
  • Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Male
  • Microscopy, Confocal
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Oligospermia / genetics
  • Oligospermia / metabolism
  • Protein Biosynthesis*
  • Proteins / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / biosynthesis*
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA-Binding Proteins*
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Spermatozoa / metabolism*

Substances

  • DAZL protein, human
  • DNA, Complementary
  • Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA-Binding Proteins