Logo image
Gonococcal lipooligosaccharide is a ligand for the asialoglycoprotein receptor on human sperm
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Gonococcal lipooligosaccharide is a ligand for the asialoglycoprotein receptor on human sperm

H A Harvey, N Porat, C A Campbell, M Jennings, B W Gibson, N J Phillips, M A Apicella and M S Blake
Molecular microbiology, Vol.36(5), pp.1059-1070
06/2000
DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2958.2000.01938.x
PMID: 10844691
url
https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2958.2000.01938.xView
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

In the present study, we show that Neisseria gonorrhoeae lipooligosaccharide (LOS) can bind to the asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGP-R) on human sperm. This work demonstrates the presence of ASGP-R on human sperm. Binding of purified ASGP-R ligand decreased in the presence of gonococci. Binding of purified iodinated gonococcal LOS identified a protein of molecular weight corresponding to that of human ASGP-R. The presence of excess unlabelled LOS blocked binding of iodinated gonococcal LOS. Binding of wild-type gonococcal LOS to sperm was higher than that of mutant LOS lacking the galactose ligand for ASGP-R. These data suggest that the ASGP-R on human sperm cells recognizes and binds wild-type gonococcal LOS. This interaction may contribute to the transmission of gonorrhea from infected males to their sexual partners.
Iodine Radioisotopes Asialoglycoprotein Receptor Humans Isotope Labeling Lipopolysaccharides - metabolism Ligands Male Receptors, Cell Surface Spermatozoa - metabolism Neisseria gonorrhoeae - genetics Neisseria gonorrhoeae - metabolism Transferases - genetics

Details

Metrics

Logo image