N-Terminal Amino Acid Sequence of Boar Sperm Acrosin. Homology with Other Serine Proteinases

Abstract

Boar acrosin with a MW of 38,000 had been isolated. An N-terminal amino acid sequence of 52 residues was determined on the S-carboxymethylated material. The protein contains a single peptide chain. Up to 48% of the positions in the sequence show identity with those of some serine proteinases. The highest degree of homology was found in the comparison with plasmin and chymotrypsin. The N-terminus of acrosin corresponds to that of a serine proteinase in the activated form. The N-terminal amino acid is valine.