Our laboratory has characterized EPPIN [epididymal protease inhibitor; SPINLW1] as a novel gene on human chromosome 20q12-13.2, which encodes a cysteine-rich protein of 133 amino acids with a calculated molecular mass of 15.283 kDa, containing both Kunitz-type and WAP (whey acidic protein)-type four-disulfide core consensus sequences. Eppin is secreted by Sertoli cells in the testis and epididymal epithelial cells; it is predominantly a dimer, although multimers often exist, and in its native form eppin is found on the human sperm surface complexed with LTF (lactotransferrin) and clusterin. During ejaculation SEMG (semenogelin) from the seminal vesicles binds to the eppin protein complex, initiating a series of events that define eppin's function. Eppin's functions include (i) modulating PSA (prostate-specific antigen) enzyme activity, (ii) providing antimicrobial protection and (iii) binding SEMG thereby inhibiting sperm motility. As PSA hydrolyses SEMG in the ejaculate coagulum, spermatozoa gain progressive motility. We have demonstrated that eppin is essential for fertility because immunization of male monkeys with recombinant eppin results in complete, but reversible, contraception. To exploit our understanding of eppin's function, we are developing compounds that inhibit eppin–SEMG interaction and mimic anti-eppin, inhibiting sperm motility. These compounds should have potential as a male contraceptive.
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October 2011
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Conference Article|
September 21 2011
Functional studies of eppin
Michael G. O'Rand;
Michael G. O'Rand
1
1Department of Cell and Developmental Biology and Laboratories for Reproductive Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, U.S.A.
1To whom correspondence should be addressed (email morand@unc.edu).
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Esther E. Widgren;
Esther E. Widgren
1Department of Cell and Developmental Biology and Laboratories for Reproductive Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, U.S.A.
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Katherine G. Hamil;
Katherine G. Hamil
1Department of Cell and Developmental Biology and Laboratories for Reproductive Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, U.S.A.
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Erick J. Silva;
Erick J. Silva
1Department of Cell and Developmental Biology and Laboratories for Reproductive Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, U.S.A.
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Richard T. Richardson
Richard T. Richardson
1Department of Cell and Developmental Biology and Laboratories for Reproductive Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, U.S.A.
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Publisher: Portland Press Ltd
Received:
April 04 2011
Online ISSN: 1470-8752
Print ISSN: 0300-5127
© The Authors Journal compilation © 2011 Biochemical Society
2011
Biochem Soc Trans (2011) 39 (5): 1447–1449.
Article history
Received:
April 04 2011
Citation
Michael G. O'Rand, Esther E. Widgren, Katherine G. Hamil, Erick J. Silva, Richard T. Richardson; Functional studies of eppin. Biochem Soc Trans 1 October 2011; 39 (5): 1447–1449. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/BST0391447
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