title: Localization and characterization of phosphatidylcholine in sea urchin spermatozoa.
abstract: Sea urchin spermatozoa obtain energy for movement through oxidation of endogenous phospholipids, particularly phosphatidylcholine (PC). This study was undertaken to determine the localization of PC available for utilization in energy metabolism in spermatozoa of the sea urchin, Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus. Following incubation with sea water, the PC content in sperm heads decreased significantly, while that in sperm tails did not change. PC was abundant in sperm heads, particularly the midpieces. PC composed of unsaturated fatty acids was consumed to a greater extent during incubation than that consisting of saturated fatty acids. Analysis by gas-liquid chromatography indicated most of fatty acid moieties in the midpieces PC to be unsaturated. Phospholipase A2 activity was also distributed in sperm heads, particularly the midpieces. It thus appears that PC as a substrate for energy metabolism is located in the midpieces of sea urchin spermatozoa.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Teikyo University School of Medicine.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mita
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Harumi
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ueta
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV / Q000378:metabolism; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D008297:Male; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines / Q000378:metabolism*; D010741:Phospholipases A / Q000378:metabolism; D054467:Phospholipases A2; D012617:Sea Urchins; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase / Q000378:metabolism; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013379:Substrate Specificity
chemical_list: D010713:Phosphatidylcholines; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV; D010741:Phospholipases A; D054467:Phospholipases A2; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase