Figure 1
From: Alpha6beta1 integrin expressed by sperm is determinant in mouse fertilization
Expression of alpha6beta1 integrin on mouse sperm. Alpha 6 integrin subunit expression was investigated by Western blot analysis. Proteins from epididymal sperm were extracted with 1% NP40, subjected to SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions and blotted with two different anti-α6 integrin antibodies to reinforce the specificity of the detection. A: 120 kDa specific band was detected on sperm extracts after rabbit polyclonal antibody incubation (H-87 at 0,2 μg/ml), (lanes 2 and 3: 1 and 2 millions of sperm, respectively). This band corresponds to α6 integrin subunit as confirmed by the use of the F9 Whole Cell Lysate as positive control (lane 1: 50 μg of proteins). No specific band appeared when a non specific rabbit IgG was used (lane 4). B: Using the N-19, goat polyclonal antibody rose against a peptide mapping at N-terminus of α6 integrin subunit, a similar band was detected (lane 1). This band disappeared when the blocking peptide was added (lane 2).