Mechanisms of signal transduction in mouse spermatozoa.
Sperm from all species studied thus far contain G-proteins. The presence of such signal-transducing proteins in these cells suggests that the regulation of sperm function might have control elements that are similar to ligand:receptor:G-protein:second messenger systems common to many somatic cells. This hypothesis is supported by experiments that demonstrate a potential intermediary role for the mouse sperm Gi-like protein in the acrosome reaction induced by ZP3. The specific function of this Gi-like protein in this important physiologic event is not known at this time, although possible roles in regulating ionic movements, cyclic nucleotide metabolism, and polyphosphoinositide turnover are possible candidates. Studies directed at the localization and biochemical identity of the mouse sperm Gi-like protein, as well as the nature of the second messenger system(s) modulated by this protein, are in progress and should help to delineate the sequence of events involved in some of the early steps of sperm-ZP interaction.
Kopf
G S
GS
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia 19104-6080.
D000177:Acrosome / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D004527:Egg Proteins; D005260:Female; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D051379:Mice; D010063:Ovum / Q000502:physiology*; D011813:Quinuclidinyl Benzilate / Q000494:pharmacology; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000502:physiology; D013084:Sperm-Ovum Interactions; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000502:physiology*; D010566:Virulence Factors, Bordetella / Q000494:pharmacology; D015044:Zona Pellucida / Q000502:physiology*; D000072216:Zona Pellucida Glycoproteins
D004527:Egg Proteins; D006023:Glycoproteins; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D010566:Virulence Factors, Bordetella; D000072216:Zona Pellucida Glycoproteins; C000606521:Zp3 protein, mouse; C035027:egg surface sperm receptor; D011813:Quinuclidinyl Benzilate; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins