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An epididymis-specific β-defensin is important for the initiation of sperm maturation

Nature Cell Biology volume 6, pages 458–464 (2004)Cite this article

Abstract

Although the role of the epididymis, a male accessory sex organ, in sperm maturation has been established for nearly four decades1, the maturation process itself has not been linked to a specific molecule of epididymal origin. Here we show that Bin1b, a rat epididymis-specific β-defensin with antimicrobial activity2, can bind to the sperm head in different regions of the epididymis with varied binding patterns. In addition, Bin1b-expressing cells, either of epididymal origin or from a Bin1b-transfected cell line, can induce progressive sperm motility in immotile immature sperm. This induction of motility is mediated by the Bin1b-induced uptake of Ca2+, a mechanism that has a less prominent role in maintaining motility in mature sperm. In vivo antisense experiments show that suppressed expression of Bin1b results in reduced binding of Bin1b to caput sperm and in considerable attenuation of sperm motility and progressive movement. Thus, β-defensin is important for the acquisition of sperm motility and the initiation of sperm maturation.

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Figure 1: Bin1b binds to sperm from different regions of rat epididymis.
Figure 2: Effect of Bin1b expressing epithelial cells on sperm motility and Bin1b binding after coculture.
Figure 3: Differential effect of Bin1b on Ca2+ uptake in immature and mature sperm.
Figure 4: In vivo suppression of Bin1b expression and the effect of Bin1b antisense oligonucleotides.

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Acknowledgements

The work was supported by RGC of Hong Kong (CUHK4365/03M), the Strategic Program of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, the Distinguished Young Investigator Fund of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (to H.C.C.), the '973' Basic Research Funding Scheme of China (G 1999055901), the CAS Knowledge Creative Program (KSCX2-SW-201) and the Shanghai Development Foundation of Science and Technology (no. 03JC14080).

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  1. Department of Physiology, Epithelial Cell Biology Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong

    Chen Xi Zhou, Ka Man Leung, Man Yee Chan, Pui Shan Lo, Lai Ling Tsang, Hau Yan Wong, Lok Sze Ho, Yiu Wa Chung & Hsiao Chang Chan

  2. State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biochemistry & Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320, Yue-Yang Road, Shanghai, 200031, China

    Yong-Lian Zhang, Liqing Xiao & Min Zheng

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Zhou, C., Zhang, YL., Xiao, L. et al. An epididymis-specific β-defensin is important for the initiation of sperm maturation. Nat Cell Biol 6, 458–464 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1038/ncb1127

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