Association of chromatin proteins high mobility group box (HMGB) 1 and HMGB2 with mitotic chromosomes.

High mobility group box (HMGB) 1 and 2 are two abundant nonhistone nuclear proteins that have been found in association with chromatin. Previous studies based on immunofluorescence analysis indicated that HMGB1 dissociates from chromosomes during mitosis. In the present work, HMGB1 and 2 subcellular localization was reinvestigated in living cells by using enhanced green fluorescent protein- and Discosome sp.

Herpesvirus, cytomegalovirus, human sperm and assisted fertilization.

Background: The effect of viral particles on the motility of human sperm and the relationship between sperm and virus are of importance particularly in assisted fertilization.

Methods: We incubated ejaculated sperm with or without seminal fluid with either herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV2) or human cytomegalovirus (HCMV). For each experiment, 5 x 10(5) sperm were incubated with a viral load of between 10(4) and 10(6) plaque-forming units.