Germ cell-specific hyaluronidases such as sperm adhesion molecule 1 (SPAM1) and hyaluronoglucosaminidase 5 (Hyal5) are in part responsible for dispersal of the cumulus cell mass, which is a critical step in establishing fertilization in mammals. In this study, we identified two testis-hyaluronidases, SPAM1 and Hyal5, in hamster and rat. These two genes were expressed specifically in the testis. At the protein level, hamster SPAM1 and Hyal5 display 78.7% and 75.4% identity with mouse SPAM1 and Hyal5. Further, the activity of the enzymes with respect to cumulus cell dispersion did not differ, although we observed that the enzymatic activity differed in pH range. These studies suggest that different sperm hyaluronidases are capable of dispersing the cumulus cell mass despite differences in enzyme activity.

ABSTRACT   INTRODUCTION   MATERIALS AND METHODS    Animals    Total RNA Extraction and RT-PCR    Cloning of SPAMl and Hyal5 Genes in Rat and Hamster    Preparation of Sperm Protein Extracts    Zymography    Dispersal of Cumulus Cells In Vitro   RESULTS AND DISCUSSION   REFERENCES

• Ekyune Kim(College of Pharmacy, Catholic University of Daegu) Corresponding Author
• Kyu-Tae Chang(National Primate Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology)