Identification of dipeptidyl peptidase IV as the antigen of a monoclonal anti-prostasome antibody

BACKGROUND: Our purpose was to elucidate the identity of an antigen of a monoclonal antibody against prostasomes, which are prostate-derived organelles occurring freely in human semen. METHODS: Monoclonal antibodies against prostasomes were generated by intrasplenic immunization to allow better characterization of the prostasomes. One third of the resulting antibodies bound to a 110-kDa prostasomal protein on Western blots. RESULTS: The antigen was purified from seminal prostasomes by anion exchange chromatography and gel electrophoresis. After in-gel digestion and amino-acid sequence analysis of selected peptides, it was identified as dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV), EC 3.4.14.5, also known as T-cell-activating antigen CD26. No DPP IV could be detected in the supernatant obtained after preparative ultracentrifugation of the prostasomes. CONCLUSIONS: DPP IV/CD26 is structurally bound to prostasomes rather than being free in seminal fluid. This enzyme may play a critical role in the promoting effect of prostasomes on forward motility of spermatozoa.