Expression of acrosin during mouse spermatogenesis: a biochemical and immunocytochemical analysis by a monoclonal antibody C 11 H.

A monoclonal antibody C 11 H was produced against human acrosomal antigen. It also cross-reacted with acrosomes of the boar and the mouse. In boar spermatozoa the antibody reacted, in immunoblotting analysis, with polypeptides of Mr 55,000 and 53,000. The proteolytic activity was detected by zymographic casein overlay assay. Partially purified boar sperm acrosin was bound by the C 11 H affinity column, and acrosin activity was detected in the eluate. These experiments indicate that C 11 H antibody recognizes sperm acrosin. The acrosin expression during spermatogenesis was studied with C 11 H antibody, using mouse testis as a model. Immunocytochemical analysis revealed that step 9 spermatids were the first cells to react with C 11 H antibody. During step 14, the perinuclear pattern of C 11 H-binding disintegrated into small particles around the spermatid nuclei for the period of close association between spermatid bundles and Sertoli cells. During late step 15, the antigen became located at the site in the acrosome typical for step 16 spermatids and spermatozoa. These results indicate that monoclonal C 11 H antibody recognizes acrosin that is first expressed in haploid cells coincident with the onset of nuclear elongation and cessation of RNA transcription. The changes in the distribution pattern suggest that acrosin may be modified by Sertoli cells. In addition to studies on acrosin, this antibody may be useful in investigations of transcription and translation and their regulation during spermatogenesis in general.