Processing of seminal plasma hCAP-18 to ALL-38 by gastricsin - A novel mechanism of generating antimicrobial peptides in vagina
Författare
Summary, in English
The human cathelicidin, hCAP-18, is expressed both in neutrophils and in epithelial cells. hCAP-18 is processed to the antimicrobial peptide LL-37 by proteinase 3 in neutrophils. hCAP-18 is highly expressed in the epididymis with a subsequent high concentration in seminal plasma where the protein is present in its unprocessed and antimicrobially inactive form. We report here that hCAP-18 in seminal plasma is processed to generate a 38-amino acid antimicrobial peptide ALL-38 by the prostate-derived protease gastricsin when incubated at a pH corresponding to the vaginal pH. In accordance with this, seminal plasma derived hCAP-18 was found in its processed form in the vagina following sexual intercourse. The antimicrobial activity of ALL-38 against a variety of microorganisms tested is equal to that of LL37. This enzymatic activation of a proantimicrobial substance in seminal plasma following exposure to the vaginal milieu represents a novel mechanism to prevent infection following sexual intercourse.
Avdelning/ar
Publiceringsår
2003
Språk
Engelska
Sidor
28540-28546
Publikation/Tidskrift/Serie
Journal of Biological Chemistry
Volym
278
Issue
31
Dokumenttyp
Artikel i tidskrift
Förlag
American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Ämne
- Medicinal Chemistry
Status
Published
Forskningsgrupp
- Clinical Chemistry, Malmö
ISBN/ISSN/Övrigt
- ISSN: 1083-351X