附睾相关WFDC型丝氨酸蛋白酶抑制剂研究进展

精子在附睾中的成熟是通过管腔离子浓度的改变及许多糖苷酶和蛋白酶对精子表面膜的修饰过程来调控的,而这些蛋白酶的活动是受存在于附睾特定区域的蛋白酶抑制剂控制的。其中WFDC型丝氨酸蛋白酶抑制剂是一种在附睾中高度表达的蛋白,它在天然免疫与男性生育方面发挥重要作用。本文就该蛋白的结构、功能特征及其在开发男性抗生殖道感染药物、免疫避孕药物等方面的应用前景进行了综述。

Advances in Researches on Epididymal WFDC-type Serine Protease Inhibitors

Sperm maturation in the epididymis is regulated by changes of luminal ion concentration and processing of sperm surface membrane by several glyeosidases and proteases, and the actions of the proteases are controlled by protease inhibitors present in specific areas of the epididymis. WFDC-type serine protease inhibitors that are highly expressed in the epididymis play an important role in natural immunity and male reproduction. This paper gives an overview of the structure and function of the protein and its application prospects in the development of drugs for male reproductive tract infection and immunocontraception.