期刊名称:Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology
印刷版ISSN:0301-4800
电子版ISSN:1881-7742
出版年度:1991
卷号:37
期号:5
页码:461-471
DOI:10.3177/jnsv.37.461
出版社:Center for Academic Publications Japan
摘要:Two types of retinoic acid-binding proteins, designated as epididymal retinoic acid-binding protein (ERABP) types A and B, have been purified to homogeneity from rat genital organs. ERABP types A and B had molecular weights of 19, 000 and 18, 500 and isoelectric points of 5.72 and 5.90, respectively. The absorption spectrum of ERABP complex with retinoic acid had two peaks at 277 and 354nm, and showed similar uncorrected fluorescence spectra to that of cellular retinoic acidbinding protein (CRABP). These ERABPs were identified as major androgen-dependent epididymal proteins by amino acid sequences analyses. Furthermore, immunohistochemical examinations revealed that the ERABPs exist in the epithelium of the proximal portion of the epididymis and in the lumen of epididymal canal and seminal tract leading from the epididymis. The existence of ERABP strongly suggests that retinoic acid might be involved in the maturation of spermatozoa.