Identification of a role for a mouse sperm surface aldo-keto reductase (AKR1B7) and its human analogue in the detoxification of the reactive aldehyde, acrolein

Andrologia. 2013 Oct;45(5):326-31. doi: 10.1111/and.12018. Epub 2012 Sep 12.

Abstract

Mouse vas deferens protein (AKR1B7), a member of the aldo-keto reductase family, was purified to homogeneity. Antibodies raised to AKR1B7 revealed an aldo-keto reductase on the human sperm surface, while confocal microscopy experiments demonstrated that this enzyme covered the entire human sperm surface and was concentrated on the mid-piece. Further functional characterisation of a recombinant form of AKR1B7 showed that the likely role of AKR1B7 is the reduction of the reactive aldehyde, acrolein, a by-product of spermine catabolism in the reproductive tract. A similar acrolein detoxification activity was displayed by human sperm membrane extracts but was not present in seminal plasma. These results indicate that human sperm possess an aldo-keto reductase on their membrane surface and are thus enzymatically protected against reactive aldehyde species both in the male and female reproductive tract.

Keywords: AKR1B7; Acrolein; MVDP; aldo-keto reductase; detoxification.

MeSH terms

  • Acrolein / metabolism*
  • Acrolein / pharmacokinetics
  • Alcohol Oxidoreductases / metabolism*
  • Aldehyde Reductase / metabolism*
  • Aldo-Keto Reductases
  • Animals
  • Humans
  • Inactivation, Metabolic
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Spermine / metabolism
  • Spermine / toxicity

Substances

  • Spermine
  • Acrolein
  • Alcohol Oxidoreductases
  • Aldo-Keto Reductases
  • Akr1b7 protein, mouse
  • Aldehyde Reductase
  • AKR7A5 protein, mouse