Swainsonine induces the production of hybrid glycoproteins and accumulation of oligosaccharides in male reproductive tissues of the rat

Biology of Reproduction
D R TulsianiM C Orgebin-Crist

Abstract

Early studies have shown that spotted locoweed (Astragalus lentiginosus) has an adverse effect on male reproduction. Rams fed locoweed showed a reduced number of primary and secondary spermatocytes and spermatids in the testis, and of spermatozoa in the epididymis and vas deferens. In addition, the Sertoli cells and other epithelial cells were severely vacuolated. Swainsonine, an indolizidine alkaloid, has been identified as the sole or principal toxin in locoweed and perhaps in the plants of genus Swainsona. The toxin is an inhibitor of lysosomal alpha-D-mannosidase, cytosolic alpha-D-mannosidase, and Golgi mannosidase II. The in vitro and in vivo inhibition of Golgi mannosidase II induces the production of abnormal glycoproteins. Since epididymis-mediated modifications of sperm-surface glycoproteins are believed to be important for sperm-egg interactions, we initiated studies to determine effects of swainsonine on processing and catabolism of N-linked glycoproteins in male reproductive tissues. The results presented in this report indicate that feeding of the alkaloid led to accumulation of mannose-rich oligosaccharides (OS) in the testis and epididymis of rats. The major OS was purified from the reproductive tissues of swain...Continue Reading

Citations

Aug 5, 2011·Molecular Biology of the Cell·Yang ChenKazuo Yamamoto
Feb 15, 2013·PLoS Pathogens·Anja M Oelschlegel, Charles Weissmann

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