Sie befinden Sich nicht im Netzwerk der Universität Paderborn. Der Zugriff auf elektronische Ressourcen ist gegebenenfalls nur via VPN oder Shibboleth (DFN-AAI) möglich. mehr Informationen...
Difference in two‐dimensional (2‐D) gel electrophoresis (DIGE) is a novel method for analyzing up to three samples in one 2‐D gel and using the information gained to study post‐translational modifications of proteins. We describe the use of DIGE to isolate and characterize those proteins that undergo processing in spermatozoa as they transit the epididymal tract. We find up to 60 protein spots are significantly modified as sperm traverse the epididymis. In this article, we report eight unambiguous protein identifications and demonstrate that one protein, the β‐subunit of the mitochondrial F1‐ATPase, is serine‐phosphorylated as sperm undergo epididymal maturation. We suggest that phosphorylation of this particular protein in a cAMP‐dependent manner may contribute to the mechanisms by which motility is conferred upon spermatozoa.