Trypsin-like proteolytic activity in an acrosomal extract of bull spermatozoa
Multamäki, S.; Niemi, M.
International Journal of Fertility 17(1): 43-52
1972
ISSN/ISBN: 0020-725X PMID: 4132147 Document Number: 46520
An acrosomal extract of bull spermatozoa was produced by shaking washed spermatozoa with glass beads and centrifuging at 7000 g. Alkaline proteolytic activity was demonstrated in the extract. The rho H. optimum, modifier characteristics and substrate preference of the activity were similar to those of bovine pancreatic trypsin, and therefore the activity was attributed to a trypsin-like enzyme (TLE) in the acrosomes. The liberation of the TLE activity from bull acrosomes depended on the shaking time and salt concentration. The TLE activity was contained mainly in the acrosomes, but some activity may be bound to the equatorial segments and elsewhere in the spermatozoa.