Fibrinogen-like substance and thrombin-like enzyme in seminal plasma: coagulation system of human semen.

This investigation was conducted to examine the presence of fibrinogen-like substance and thrombin-like enzyme in human semen (human seminal plasma) after liquefaction. The human seminal plasma contained small amounts of respective substances which are absorbed on anti-fibrinogen and anti-thrombin III affinity columns, respectively. The thrombin-like enzyme with Gly-Pro-Arg-pNA amidolytic activity was inhibited by human seminal plasma trypsin-like enzyme inhibitor (HSP-TI) and antithrombin III. The fibrinogen-like substance reacted with the thrombin-like enzyme, forming a fibrin-like substance. It would appear that certain aspects of the coagulation process in human semen constitute the same process as the final stage of the blood coagulation system.

Clinical application of basic arginine amidase in human male urine.

Basic human urinary arginine amidase (or esterase, called BHUAE) which is only found in male urine, was measured from normal volunteers between the age of 4 and 70 years using D-valyl-L-leucyl-L-arginine-p-nitroanilide as a substrate. BHUAE increases during early adolescence, between 8 to 17 years of age. Then, BHUAE decreases in the twenties and takes a certain range of value in the mature age group, between the late thirties and fifties. In patients with prostate cancer, a significant increase in BHUAE was demonstrated in comparison with the healthy male group (control) over 55 years old. On the other hand, patients with benign prostatic hypertrophy showed no significant elevation of this enzyme activity. It would appear that the measurement of BHUAE in urine can be used as a marker of prostate cancer in an advanced age group.

Selective isolation of acrosome-reacted human spermatozoa with progressive motility by using cell affinity chromatography on concanavalin A Sepharose.

In order to ensure fertility, mammalian spermatozoa have to undergo acrosome reaction, the most obvious morphological change during this being the exposure of the inner acrosomal membrane. In the present study, the acrosome-reacted human spermatozoa were successfully separated without loss of viability by using cell affinity chromatography on Concanavalin A (Con A) Sepharose. Con A demonstrated affinity for both the intact and the acrosome-reacted spermatozoa regardless of their viability; the latter, however, gave higher affinity than the former against Con A. Prior to the column chromatography, the immotile spermatozoa and the seminal plasma were excluded by means of a modified swim-down procedure and the resulting spermatozoa were subsequently immobilized by slow rate cooling in ice-cold water. Cell affinity chromatography was performed at 4 degrees C. To prevent mechanical trapping of the spermatozoa among the packed gel beads, the column was interconnected with a reservoir, the vertical drive of which was allowed to lose the gel bed and thereby release the trapped spermatozoa. Stepwise competitive elution with 5.0 microM mannose and 25% heat-inactivated human serum was capable of separating the intact spermatozoa and the acrosome-reacted spermatozoa from each other. The acrosome reaction rate of sperm fraction which was adsorbed to Con A Sepharose and eluted with 25% serum was found to be 83 +/- 2.3%, and motility and viability of these fractions were measured to be 80 +/- 6.3% and 83 +/- 7.6%, respectively (n = 8, mean +/- SD). The status of the acrosome in a final preparation (motility 92%, acrosome reaction rate 88%) was observed by scanning electron microscopy, and 81% spermatozoa lost their acrosome cap.

[Participation of sialic acid residue in the fibrinogen-fibrin conversion by thrombin].

In order to estimate the effects of sialic acid residues in fibrinogen on the fibrinogen-fibrin conversion by bovine thrombin the Michaelis constant (Km) and maximum velocity (Vmax) were determined. The Km value obtained by the use of intact-fibrinogen was smaller than that of asialo-fibrinogen. This fact suggests that the sialic acid residues affected the formation of the enzyme-substrate complex. It was also found that in comparison with the asialo-fibrinogen, the intact-fibrinogen was significantly influenced in the gel formation time by the ionic strength in the reaction solution.

The effects of pH on the generation of turbidity and elasticity associated with fibrinogen-fibrin conversion by thrombin are remarkably influenced by sialic acid in fibrinogen.

In fibrinogen-fibrin conversion by thrombin, the polymerization of a fibrin monomer is accompanied by gelation and an increase turbidity. Since sialic acids at the terminal of the carbohydrate chains bound to fibrinogen are part of the low affinity calcium binding site necessary for polymerization, they are closely involved in the network structure of fibrin clots. Fibrin clots derived from asialofibrinogen exhibited definite differences in turbidity and elasticity compared with those derived from intact fibrinogen, and were markedly dependent on the pH during the reaction. The turbidity during polymerization of fibrin, evaluated according to the absorbance at 350 nm, was maximum at pH 6.5-7.0, but it decreased in the other pH ranges, with the changes being unremarkable at higher pH levels but remarkable at lower pH ranges. The turbidity of fibrin derived from asialofibrinogen was far higher than that from intact fibrinogen near neutrality, but decreased rapidly and was lower than in intact fibrinogen at higher and lower pH ranges. Concerning the elasticity evaluated by thromboelastography, the coagulation time (k) and the maximum amplitude (ma) were lower in asialofibrinogen, indicating a deterioration of the clotting function of fibrinogen with the loss of sialic acid. These results suggest that sialic acid bound to fibrinogen is closely related to the fibrin network formation in blood coagulation, which is the most important function of fibrinogen, and plays a functional role in the stabilization of fibrin clot formation against environmental changes, including pH.

The effect of some proteinase inhibitors on liquefaction of human semen.

This study examined the effect of some proteinase inhibitors on liquefaction of human semen. It revealed that a strong plasmin inhibitor, 6-amidino-2-naphthyl-6-guanidinobenzoate dihydrochloride (Fusan) showed a significant inhibition of liquefaction, while t-amino caproic acid (t-ACA) showed a weak retardation effect. In terms of sperm quality after liquefaction, Fusan (10 mM), ethyl diamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA) and Urinastatin completely inhibited sperm motility. Fusan (1 mM) and Lima bean trypsin inhibitor (LBTI) decreased sperm motility significantly, while leupeptin and t-ACA had little effect. Leupeptin, LBTI, t-ACA and Fusan (1 mM) did not affect sperm speed. 50% inhibition of sperm motility was calculated to be approximately 1.7 mM of Fusan concentration. In addition, two inhibitors, Chymostatin and Phosphoramidon were also tested with each experiment and had no effect on liquefaction or on sperm motility and speed. These results strongly suggest that plasmin may play an important role in the liquefaction process of human semen.

Two forms of acidic arginine amidases in human kidney.

Two forms of acidic arginine amidases were separated from human kidney extract using the techniques of basic ion exchange adsorption and elution as well as lima bean trypsin inhibitor (LBTI) and aprotinin affinity adsorptions and elutions. The enzymes were tentatively named acidic human renal arginine amidase-L (AHRAA-L, with affinity to an LBTI column) and -A (AHRAA-A, with affinity to an aprotinin column). Both enzymes showed a similar molecular mass of approximately 3.0 x 10(4) daltons, differing from that of human renal kallikrein (HRK, molecular mass of 4.8 x 10(4) daltons). The specific activity of AHRAA-L and -A were 106 and 680 nmol/min/A280 of Val-Leu-Arg-pNA amidolysis, respectively, and they were strongly inhibited by LBTI and human urinary trypsin inhibitor (UTI), while ethylenglycol-bis(beta-amino ethylether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA) showed a weak or no effect on both enzymes.

Human seminal plasma proteinase inhibitor: action toward some trypsin-like arginine amidases from humans.

Human seminal plasma trypsin-like proteinase inhibitor (HSTPI) was separated and examined by trypsin Cellulofine affinity adsorption and Cellulofine GCL-300 gel filtration and its inhibitory action toward some arginine amidases obtained from the urine, semen, and blood of humans. HSTPI showed strong inhibitory action toward two types of human seminal plasma basic arginine amidases (BHSAA-L and -A), human seminal plasma acidic arginine amidase with affinity to lima bean trypsin inhibitor (LBTI) column (AHSAA-L), and human acrosin and thrombin. Conversely, no or little inhibition was observed toward human urinary arginine amidase-2, human high molecular weight urokinase, or human seminal plasma acidic arginine amidase with affinity to aprotinin column (AHSAA-A, tissue kallikrein). Measurement of Ki values of BHSAA-L with affinity to LBTI column toward HSTPI and LBTI revealed that the arginine amidase had a stronger affinity for LBTI than that for HSTPI. This indicates that it is the difference in Ki values that allows BHSAA-L to be separated by the LBTI affinity adsorption method from human seminal plasma containing a large amount of HSTPI.

Sialic acid in fibrinogen: effects of sialic acid on fibrinogen-fibrin conversion by thrombin and properties of asialofibrin clot.

The final stage in a series of blood coagulating reactions is fibrinogen-fibrin conversion by thrombin. This reaction consists of fibrinopeptide A and fibrinopeptide B release, polymerization of fibrin monomer, and stabilized fibrin formation by factor XIII. The latter two reactions require calcium. In the present study there was no difference in the rate of thrombin-induced fibrinopeptide release between fibrinogen and asialofibrinogen where sialic acid in the terminal end of carbohydrate moiety of fibrinogen was removed by neuraminidase, but turbidity associated with asialofibrin clot formation was increased more rapidly. In asialo-derivatives, the dissolution time of the clots in high concentrated urea solution tended to be shortened and rigidity as a gel tended to be decreased. In measurement by thromboelastography there was no difference in the reaction time (r) between fibrinogen and asialofibrinogen, but the maximum amplitude (ma) was obviously decreased in asialofibrinogen. Furthermore, when the rate of cross-link formation between gamma chains by F-XIII was compared, the production of gamma-dimer in the same reaction time was found to be lower and formation of stabilized fibrin tended to be retarded in asialofibrinogen. Sialic acid in fibrinogen thus may clearly influence the polymerization of fibrin-monomer and the formation of cross-linked fibrin in a series of reactions for fibrinogen-fibrin conversion. This may be consistent with the theory that fibrinogen sialic acid residues are low affinity calcium-binding sites and influence fibrin assembly.

Two forms of basic trypsin-like arginine amidases in boar sperm.

Acrosin and newly detected basic arginine amidase were separated from boar sperm by affinity adsorption using lima bean trypsin inhibitor (LBTI) and aprotinin columns, respectively. These enzymes differed in various respects, including response against calcium chloride, amidolytic substrate specificity, and reaction against the inhibitor. They also differed widely in the affinity to LBTI. The difference appears to be expressed as the difference in ability of affinity of the enzymes with LBTI, thus leading to their separation.

Enzymatic action of basic arginine amidases in human seminal plasma.

Three basic arginine amidases with different affinities to lima bean trypsin inhibitor (LBTI) and aprotinin affinity columns were separated in the middle molecular weight (MMW) preparation obtained from Cellulofine GCL-2000 gel filtration of CM-cellulose adsorbed human seminal plasma and were tentatively called basic human seminal plasma arginine amidase-L (BHSAA-L, with affinity to LBTI), -A (BHSAA-A, with affinity to aprotinin), and -TH (BHSAA-TH, without affinity to either). Some enzymatic properties were measured, including Ki values of LBTI and human seminal plasma proteinase inhibitor (HSP-PI) toward present enzymes. The Ki values of LBTI toward BHSAA-L and -TH were lower than those of HSP-PI and no Ki values for LBTI toward BHSAA-L were observed. The Km values of BHSAA-L and -A to some tripeptidyl-p-nitroanilide substrates seemed relatively lower than that of BHSAA-TH.

Trypsin-like arginine amidases including plasminogen and plasmin in human seminal plasma by affinity adsorption and elution.

An enzyme preparation with affinity to a lysine column was detected from a DEAE-cellulose-adsorbed preparation of human seminal plasma containing plasminogen and plasmin. Two kinds of trypsin-like acidic arginine amidase activity with different affinity to lima bean trypsin inhibitor (LBTI) and aprotinin affinity column were detected from the DEAE-cellulose-adsorbed preparation after treatment of the lysine column. Two kinds of trypsin-like basic arginine amidase activity were also separated by the above-mentioned affinity adsorptions from a CM-cellulose-adsorbed preparation of human seminal plasma. The effect of calcium chloride on these two enzymes was different from human acrosin.

Detection and separation of two kinds of acidic arginine amidases from boar sperm using lima bean trypsin inhibitor and aprotinin affinity adsorptions.

Two kinds of acidic arginine amidase activity were found in boar sperm. One enzyme was separated by a treatment consisting of lima bean trypsin inhibitor (LBTI) affinity adsorption and elution. The other enzyme was separated by aprotinin affinity adsorption and elution through the same solutions as those used for first enzyme; the two enzymes provisionally named boar sperm acidic arginine amidases 1 (BSAA-1) and 2 (BSAA-2), respectively. The amidolytic activity of BSAA-1 was increased by high concentrations of calcium chloride, while the activity of BSAA-2 was independent of calcium chloride. Their behavior with LBTI and aprotinin, and profiles of their substrate specificities, were also different. The affinity of LBTI to BSAA-1 was approximately 14 times higher than that to BSAA-2.

Detection and separation of some arginine amidases including tissue kallikrein from human seminal plasma.

A plasminogen/plasmin like substance (AHSAA-1), with affinity to lysine column was separated from DEAE-cellulose adsorbed human seminal plasma. Two forms of acidic arginine amidase with different affinities to LBTI (AHSAA-2) and aprotinin columns (AHSAA-3) were separated from the DEAE-cellulose adsorbed preparation and AHSAA-3 was identified as tissue kallikrein. Two basic arginine amidase preparations having affinity to LBTI (BHSAA-1) and aprotinin column were also separated from the CM-cellulose adsorbed human seminal plasma. Three basic arginine amidases with different molecular mass (BHSAA-2 to 4) were separated by Cellulofine GCL-2000 gel filtration from aprotinin adsorbed material and some of their properties were examined.

Basic arginine esterase from human seminal plasma: purification and some properties.

Basic arginine esterase (amidase) with a specific activity of 3.2 mumol N-alpha-tosyl-L-arginine methyl ester (Tos-Arg-Me) esterolysis per A280 was purified about 230-fold from a CM-cellulose absorbed preparation of human seminal plasma. The purified enzyme was a single band with an apparent molecular weight of 3.4-4.1 x 10(4). The amidolytic activity of this enzyme was suppressed by aprotinin, soybean trypsin inhibitor (SBTI), leupeptin, and antipain, while alpha 1-antitrypsin, ovomucoid trypsin inhibitor (OTI), EDTA, and chymostatin had no or weak effect. This enzyme hydrolyzed synthetic basic amino acid derivatives and N-alpha-tosyl-glycyl-L-prolyl-arginine-p-nitroanilide (Tos-Gly-Pro-Arg-pNA) and N-alpha-tert-butyloxycarbonyl-L-leucyl-L-prolyl-L-arginine-p-nitroanilid e (Boc-Leu-Pro-Arg-pNA) were the best substrates. The enzymatic characteristics of present enzyme were clearly different from tissue kallikrein, acrosin, and seminin in human semen.

Anthelmintic efficacy of milbemycin D against Toxocara cati and Ancylostoma tubaeforme in domestic cats.

Anthelmintic efficacy of milbemycin D was evaluated against Toxocara cati and Ancylostoma tubaeforme in domestic cats. Twelve cats naturally infected with each nematode species were allocated among 2 groups of 6 animals each, and milbemycin D was orally administered to the 2 groups of cats in doses of 0.05 mg/kg and 0.1 mg/kg body weight, respectively. In all the cats infected with T. cati, fecal egg counts decreased followed by their disappearance from the feces and 2-35 worms were excreted into the feces after the medication in both doses of 0.05 mg/kg and 0.1 mg/kg. At postmortem of these medicated groups, no worms were detected from 4 cats of each group, but 1 and 2 immature worms were recovered from the other 2 cats respectively. In the cats infected with A. tubaeforme, fecal egg counts decreased followed by the disappearance from the feces and 2-62 worms were excreted into the feces in all the cats of the 2 groups, no nematodes remaining at postmortem. These results indicate that milbemycin D is fully effective against T. cati and A. tubaeforme in cats in a dose of 0.05-0.1 mg/kg.

Detection of arginine esterase activity in human follicular fluid.

One major fraction hydrolysing arginine ester and amido derivative (major preparation) was detected and separated from human follicular fluid by Cellulofine GCL-2000 gel filtration. The best ester and amide substrates for this preparation were acetyl-glycyl-lysine methyl ester (Ac-Gly-Lys-Me) and D-valyl-L-leucyl-L-arginine-p-nitroanilide (Val-Leu-Arg-pNA), respectively. The preparation contained plasmin and plasminogen; lysine-Cellulofine adsorption and elution changed the substrate specificity of its esterolytic activity. After treatment by lysine-Cellulofine adsorption and elution, the basic and acidic arginine esterase activities of the major preparation were separated by CM- and DEAE-cellulose adsorption and elution, respectively. The substrate specificity of these two esterolytic enzyme activities differed before and after adsorption of the major preparation to the lysine affinity column.

Human acrosin: purification and some properties.

Human sperm with normal morphology and good viability were obtained by centrifugation using a discontinuous Percoll density gradient with an inner column. Acrosin (E.C.3.4.21.10) was rapidly purified from sperm by ion exchange adsorption and elution and was purified by affinity adsorption on a lima bean trypsin inhibitor (LBTI) Cellulofine column. The final preparation was found to be homogeneous on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and to have a molecular weight of about 4 x 10(4) daltons. The enzyme had an esterolytic activity of 3.5 mumol/min/A280 with N-alpha-tosyl-L-arginine methyl ester as the substrate. Human acrosin showed a broad substrate specificity for arginine and lysine derivatives and it seemed to have a somewhat different specificity from trypsin. The optimal pH of this enzyme with amidolytic activity was 9.0. Enzyme activity was stimulated by a high concentration of calcium chloride. LBTI and aprotinin strongly suppressed the amidolytic activity with the D-valyl-L-leucyl-L-arginine-p-nitroanilide (Val-Leu-Arg-pNA) as the substrate, but alpha 1-antitrypsin and soybean trypsin inhibitor were less effective.

Purification and characterization of a kallikrein from human submaxillary glands.

A tissue kallikrein was purified over 1500-fold from the postmicrosomal supernatant of human submaxillary glands. The purified enzyme gave a single band, corresponding to an apparent molecular weight of 42,000 on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. This enzyme cross-reacted with the anti-human urinary kallikrein antiserum. The purified enzyme was characterized in comparison with the purest human urinary kallikrein preparation. Both enzymes hydrolyzed the synthetic substrate, Ac-Phe-Arg-OMe, most effectively. Aprotinin, TLCK, and PMSF suppressed the enzyme activities, while SBTI, LBTI, and alpha 1-antitrypsin had no effect at all. The purified enzyme generated kinin from the natural substrate, kininogen. It was concluded therefore that the purified enzyme is a typical tissue kallikrein.