title: Presence of ATPase and alkaline phosphatase activities in the starfish sperm acrosome.
abstract: ATPase activity was cytochemically detected in the peripheral acrosomal component of ionophore-reacted sperm, while alkaline phosphatase activity was demonstrated in the upper and central components of the acrosome and, at fertilization, at the site of sperm-oocyte binding. Supernatants of ionophore treated sperm suspensions were assayed for ATPase, alkaline and acid phosphatase activities. Results suggest that alkaline phosphatase may be involved both in the acrosomal reaction and oocyte jelly lysis but the function of the acrosomal ATPase remains unknown.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Biology, University of Oporto, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sousa
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Azevedo
mesh_terms: D000177:Acrosome / Q000032:analysis / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000502:physiology; D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D008297:Male; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000502:physiology; D013215:Starfish / Q000201:enzymology*
chemical_list: D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases