Current knowledge of the human sperm proteome

Abstract

The knowledge of the mature sperm proteome is undoubtedly the basis for understanding sperm function, the mechanisms responsible for fertilization, the reasons for infertility and possible treatments. The methods of sperm protein extraction depend mainly on the proteins of interest and the protein separation techniques that will be employed. The isolation of the membrane proteins appears to be most problematic step. Nevertheless, two-dimensional electrophoresis and mass spectrometry have become the main techniques used in human sperm protein analysis. We outline the present techniques used to examine the sperm proteome and data generated from studies on the human sperm and different types of male infertility. We present the most characteristic proteins that are involved in sperm function. Their value as biomarkers for diagnosis and treatment of infertility would require further validation. We focus on selected and critical studies of the human sperm proteome to present our subjective view of this fast-moving field.

Keywords::

• infertility
• mass spectrometry
• sperm proteome

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors were supported by grants received from the National Center of Research and Development - NN R13 0066 06 and the National Science Center - 2011/01/B/NZ2/04836. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Key issues

• • Methods of human sperm protein isolation.

• • Methods of sperm protein separation and its role in two-dimensional electrophoresis resolution.

• • MALDI-TOF MS and LC-MS appear to be the two main techniques in human sperm protein identification and in the creation of human sperm protein catalogues.

• • Proteomic studies on infertility and their contribution to the creation of human sperm proteomic maps.

• • Seminal plasma and techniques for proteomic approach.

• • List of proteins detected with respect to clinically relevant types of male infertility.

• • Use of human sperm antigens as possible biomarkers for infertility diagnosis and/ or immunocontraceptive trials.