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Mol. Hum. Reprod. Advance Access published online on August 28, 2009
Molecular Human Reproduction, doi:10.1093/molehr/gap077
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© The Author 2009. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org

Sperm surface proteomics: from protein lists to biological function

Ian A. Brewis1,* and Barend M. Gadella2

1Department of Infection, Immunity and Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, UK 2Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology and Department of Farm Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 2, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands

* To whom correspondence should be addressed:- Dr. Ian Brewis, Department of Infection, Immunity and Biochemistry, Henry Wellcome Building, School of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, UK, Tel: +44-2920-687010, Fax: +44-2920-687303, E-mail: brewisia{at}cardiff.ac.uk

Proteomics technologies have matured significantly in recent years and proteomics driven research papers in reproductive biology and medicine are increasingly common. The key challenge is to move from lists of identified proteins to informed understanding of biological function. This review introduces the range of proteomics workflows most commonly used for protein identification before focusing on the mammalian sperm cell at fertilization as an exemplar for proteomic studies. We review the work of others on entire cells but then argue that proper subcellular fractionation and proper solubilisation strategies offers critical advantages to achieving increased biological understanding. In relation to understanding initial gamete recognition events at fertilization (capacitation, zona binding and acrosomal exocytosis) it is imperative to study the sperm surface proteome by using purified plasma membrane fractions. Whilst this task is challenging there are now strategies at our disposal to achieve comprehensive coverage of the proteins at the sperm surface. Within this context it is also important to understand the milieu of the sperm cell during transit from the testis to the oviduct as proteins (or other entities) from the genital tract epithelia and fluids may also affect the composition and organisation of proteins on the sperm surface. Finally the arguments presented for studying the cell plasma membrane proteome to understand the role of the cell surface equally apply to all cell types with important roles in reproductive function.

Key Words: fertilization/proteomics/plasma membrane/sperm/surface

Submitted on July 24, 2009; resubmitted on August 19, 2009; accepted on August 26, 2009.


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