Abstract
Summary
None of the fractions obtained from porcine spermatozoa resembled the classical histones or protamines in amino acid content when two different isolation procedures were utilized. A physical attack on the keratin by glass beads appeared to give inadequate penetration to release the other proteins of this cell. A chemical attack with per formic acid appeared quite adequate. Much of the protein in this cell is a basic keratin. The properties of such a protein would allow it to protect the DNA during its journey to the ovum.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.