This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Parrish, R. F. Articles by Polakoski, K. L. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Parrish, R. F. Articles by Polakoski, K. L.

Stimulation of proteolytic activity of boar sperm acrosin by divalent metal ions

Summary. The in-vitro proteolytic activity of boar sperm acrosin was stimulated by a series of monovalent and divalent metal ions. Equivalent concentrations of monovalent cations resulted in nearly identical increases in proteolytic activity, probably related to the increased ionic strength of the incubation medium. However, at concentrations of monovalent cations that resulted in a 2- to 3-fold stimulation of proteolysis of Azocoll, divalent metal ions caused a 24-(magnesium) to 46-(calcium) fold increase in proteolytic activity. We suggest that the divalent metal ion binds to acrosin and thus increases the proteolytic activity of acrosin to an extent greater than that due to the increased ionic strength of the incubation medium.