Sex-chromosome-specific proteins, species specific and sperm specific proteins and methods for their identification and isolation

摘要

Sex-chromosome-specific molecules associated with animal sperm cell membranes, and the method for isolating them, are described. An X chromosome specific molecule, a protein, having an apparent molecular weight of 32 kDa on SDS-PAGE is specifically described. The method involves preparing a cell membrane fraction from animal sperm cells; treating the cell membrane fraction with one or more substances which bind to X or Y chromosome specific molecules in the cell membrane fraction to form conjugates between the X or Y chromosome specific molecules and the substances; separating the material in the cell membrane fraction which does not bind to the substances to obtain a subfraction containing sex-chromosome-specific molecules. Methods of using the sex-chromosome-specific molecules for sperm sexing are also described.