CD52 is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored antigen expressed on all lymphocytes as well as in the male reproductive tract. In the epididymis and ductus deferens, CD52 is produced by epithelial cells and becomes associated with sperm as they transit through the genital tract. While absent from testicular sperm and spermatogenic cells, CD52 is detectable on epididymal sperm and in seminal fluid. The protein core of CD52 is identical in lymphocytes and sperm, though differences in glycosylation and GPI-anchor structure exist. Antibodies targeting sperm-associated CD52 have been shown to impair sperm function and fertilization, indicating a potential role in reproductive processes.
Mouse IgG1 antibody generated against human spermatozoa and recognizes a carbohydrate epitope on the spermatazoa glycoform of CD52.
Applications include immunopreciptation, immunohistochemistry, and western blot.
