Proteolytic activity, acrosin

The methods used were acrosin proteolytic activity (APA) assay (with gelatin) and acrosin activity assay with N-a-benzoyl-DL-arginine-p-nitroanihde (BAPNA)-Triton X 100, and BAPNA assay for trypsin activity [9-11]. The antioxidant activity was tested spectrometrical with ABTS+ [12]. Cytotoxicity of extracts was determined by MTT Cell Proliferation Assay [13]. 

PROTEOLYTIC ACTIVITY. In comparison with pancreatic trypsin, acrosin is 50% larger, contains carbohydrate, and is more hydrophobic (11). Although acrosin has often been referred to as trypsin-like, the above structural differences are reflected in kinetic and hydrolytic specificity differences, in different interactions with membranes, and in the newly described lectin function of acrosin. 

Fig. 41.1 Micrographs of boar spermatozoa treated with Allium extracts (0.5 g/mL) (a) garlic bulb extract, (b) untreated spermatozoa. Formation of a clear halo around the sperm head indicated acrosin proteolytic activity...

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