Background: Mechanisms of glycoprotein redistribution during sperm capacitation remain unclear. Results: Prostate-specific ZG16-like lectin WGA16 was discovered in sperm lipid rafts. Its primary and crystal structure and GalT-and heparin-binding properties were characterized. Conclusion: Attachment to sperm via surface GalT and capacitation-induced detachment involve unique N-glycans and the heparin-binding domain. Significance: This is the first demonstration of a glycan-mediated mechanism for transient existence of seminal plasma glycoprotein on the sperm surface.
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