The antibody against a nuclear autoantigenic sperm protein can result in reproductive failure.

To study whether the antibody against the testis form of the nuclear autoantigenic sperm protein (tNASP) could result in reproductive failure, we successfully cloned and expressed a 339-bp cDNA fragment of mouse tNASP (mtNASP). Using mouse as a model, recombinant mtNASP (rmtNASP) and a synthetic peptide, human tNASP(393-408) (htNASP(393-408)), were investigated for their antifertility effect. Active immunization with rmtNASP or the synthesized peptide raised high antibody titers in the immunized mice.

Inhibition of mouse acrosome reaction and sperm-zona pellucida binding by anti-human sperm membrane protein 1 antibody.

Aim: To investigate the possible functions of human sperm membrane protein (hSMP-1) in the process of fertilization.

Methods: A 576-bp cDNA fragment of HSD-1 gene coding for the extracellular domain of hSMP-1 was cloned and expressed. The localization of this protein on human and mouse sperm was determined by indirect immunofluorescent staining by using anti-recombinant hSMP-1 (anti-rhSMP-1) antibodies.

[Cloning, expression and purification of human nuclear autoantigenic sperm protein (hNASP) and preparation of its polyclonal antibody].

Objective: To acquire the purified human nuclear autoantigenic sperm protein (hNASP) and its polyclonal antibody for investigating the possible functions of hNASP involved in fertilization.

Methods: The coding sequence of hNASP gene was amplified from human testis RNA with specific primers, and the PCR product was cloned first into pMD-18T and then into pET-28a ( + ) after restriction digestion with BamH I and Hind III. The fusion protein was expressed in E.