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Protein kinase 2 subunit alpha 2 (CK2α’), a serine/threonine-selective protein kinase, is associated with sperm apoptosis. However, the presence of CK2α’ in ram sperm during the freezing-thawing process has not been previously reported. Thus, this study was conducted to determine the effect of cryopreservation on the association between CK2α’ and ram sperm function. Sperm variables, including sperm motility, DNA damage and acrosome integrity, were measured in fresh (F), cooled (CO) and freeze-thawed (FT) sperm. Sperm proteins and total mRNA were extracted form cells of each group, and subjected to western blot and real-time PCR analysis for detection of CK2α’ proteins and relative abundance of mRNA. The distribution pattern of CK2α’ protein in ram sperm was also monitored in each group using an immunofluorescence technique. The results provided evidence that the freeze-thaw process has an impact on ram sperm variables, and the normalized CK2α’ protein and relative abundance of CK2α’ mRNA were both significantly less in FT than F sperm. The amount of CK2α’ in FT extended seminal plasma was increased as compared with F samples. Furthermore, immunofluorescence revealed that CK2α’ was distributed throughout the acrosome of ram sperm. The association of CK2α’ with DNA damage and acrosome integrity was confirmed using Pearson’s linear correlation. In conclusion, the understanding the molecular effects of cryopreservation on CK2α’ in ram sperm could provide insight into methods for improving fertility associated with frozen-thawed ram sperm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Proteomic analysis of serum biomarkers to determine liver toxicity after exposure to cosmic radiation has not been performed previously. This study was to identify serum biomarkers associated with hepatotoxicity following exposure to iron ion radiation. Main methods Male mice were whole-body irradiated with a 2 grayunit (Gy) iron ion beam, and after 3 months, serum and liver samples were collected. Two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) was used to separate the identified serum proteins, and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization tandem mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-TOF) was performed to identify differentially expressed proteins. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and immunoblotting were applied to evaluate protein expression, and immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence were used to investigate protein localization. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to confirm altered gene expression. Key findings A total of 11 spots that showed differential expression were screened and identified as seven proteins. Of these, six proteins were in the same bioinformatics network and included complement component 3, serum amyloid P-component, apolipoprotein E, alpha-2-macroglobulin, fibrinogen alpha chain, and fibrinogen gamma chain. All of these proteins are synthesized by the liver, and may play an important role in liver toxicity. We also confirmed the mRNA transcription, and found that mRNA expression of the six identified proteins increased in the liver in irradiated mice. Significance These results suggest that these proteins may be potential biomarkers of hepatotoxicity in astronauts enduring long space missions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The toxicological mechanism of low sperm motility induced by iron ion radiation (IIR) was investigated in mice. Reproductive organ indices were measured following whole-body irradiation with a 2 Gy iron ion beam. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, immunoblotting and immunofluorescence were used to analyze protein expression, and real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to confirm altered gene expression. Reproductive organ indices and sperm motility were lowest 2 weeks after IIR. Sperm function changes via testis and cauda epididymis function were also determined at this time point. Sixteen differentially expressed proteins were identified in sperm 2 weeks after IIR. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that alpha-enolase (Eno1) may be important in the regulation of glycolysis in sperm, and Eno1 expression was correlated with sperm motility. Eno1 may be a potential marker for low sperm motility induced by IIR, and these results may provide a useful reference for changes in astronaut fertility during long space missions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study proteomics analysis was performed to investigate damage caused to ram sperm by the freeze-thaw process. Sperm motility, viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content were measured to evaluate sperm quality. Compared with fresh groups, motility, viability and ATP content were all lower in freeze–thawed sperm (P < 0.001), and ROS content was higher (P < 0.001). Moreover, 25 differential protein spots were detected in two-dimensional gels using PDQuest 8.0 software and the corresponding proteins were identified using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization tandem time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-TOF MS) coupled with searching of the NCBI protein sequence database. Among these proteins, hexokinase1 (HXK1), the enzyme that catalyzes the first step of glycolysis in the sperm glycolytic pathway, is known to be associated with sperm motility. Casein kinase II subunit alpha (CSNK2A2), a serine/threonine-selective protein kinase, is associated with sperm apoptosis. We used immunoblotting and immunofluorescence to analyze the expression and localization of these two proteins. HXK1 and CSNK2A2 expression levels in fresh sperm were significantly higher than that in freeze-thawed sperm (P < 0.001). HXK1 and CSNK2A2 were detected in the main part of the sperm flagellum, and the immunofluorescence signal from these proteins was weakened in the freeze-thawed group. Decreased expression of HXK1 and CSNK2A2 may be associated with decreased sperm motility and viability following freeze-thawing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]