In‑depth mapping of human testicular and epididymal proteins and their functional association with spermatozoa

Liu,Xuexia; Liu,Fujun

doi:10.3892/mmr.2015.3435

In‑depth mapping of human testicular and epididymal proteins and their functional association with spermatozoa

Authors:
- Xuexia Liu
- Fujun Liu
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Affiliations: Central Laboratory, Yantai Yu Huang Ding Hospital, Qingdao University, Yantai, Shandong 264000, P.R. China
Published online on: March 5, 2015 https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2015.3435
Pages: 173-179
Copyright: © Liu et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License [CC BY_NC 3.0].

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Abstract

The mammalian testis and epididymis are responsible for spermatozoa production and maturation, which contributes to male fertility. Predominantly expressed proteins in the testis and epididymis were suggested to be involved in the key functions or pathways in spermatogenesis and sperm maturation. To further investigate these proteins and their associations with sperm, large protein profiles of human testis and epididymis were mapped. Predominantly‑expressed testicular (173) and epididymal (244) secreted proteins were further screened and functionally characterized. Differential expression levels of solute carrier family 2 (facilitated glucose transporter), member 3, solute carrier family 25 (carnitine/acylcarnitine translocase), member 20, WAP‑type four‑disulfide core domain protein 8 and prostate and testis expressed 1 were validated using western blot and immunohistochemical analyses. The results may provide novel insight into the understanding of testicular and epididymal physiology and function, and facilitate sperm maturation research.

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