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Science 25 August 1972:
Vol. 177. no. 4050, pp. 702 - 703
DOI: 10.1126/science.177.4050.702
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Articles

Acrosomal Proteinase and Proteinase Inhibitor of Human Spermatozoa

L. J. D. Zaneveld 1, B. M. Dragoje 1, and G. F. B. Schumacher 1

1 productive Biology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois 60637

The acrosomal proteinase of human spermatozoa was characterized and differs from other human proteinases. The enzyme has optimal activity at pH 8.0, is inactive below pH 5.0 or above pH 10.5, requires calcium for maximum activity, hydrolyzes fibrinogen, gelatin, and benzoylarginine ethyl ester, and is inhibited by various synthetic and natural proteinase inhibitors. The molecular weight was estimated to be 30,000. Human spermatozoa also possess a proteinase inhibitor that is similar to one of the proteinase inhibitors from human seminal plasma.


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