title: Dual function of the selenoprotein PHGPx during sperm maturation.
abstract: The selenoprotein phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (PHGPx) changes its physical characteristics and biological functions during sperm maturation. PHGPx exists as a soluble peroxidase in spermatids but persists in mature spermatozoa as an enzymatically inactive, oxidatively cross-linked, insoluble protein. In the midpiece of mature spermatozoa, PHGPx protein represents at least 50 percent of the capsule material that embeds the helix of mitochondria. The role of PHGPx as a structural protein may explain the mechanical instability of the mitochondrial midpiece that is observed in selenium deficiency.
authors.affiliation: Dipartmento di Chimica Biologica, Università di Padova, Viale G. Colombo 3, I-35121 Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ursini
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Heim
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kiess
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maiorino
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Roveri
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wissing
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Flohé
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015180:Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology*; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000737:chemistry / Q000201:enzymology; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D000080662:Phospholipid Hydroperoxide Glutathione Peroxidase; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012643:Selenium / Q000172:deficiency / Q000502:physiology*; D051140:Selenoproteins; D012995:Solubility; D019032:Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization; D013087:Spermatids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000201:enzymology; D013091:Spermatogenesis; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000737:chemistry / Q000201:enzymology / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D011506:Proteins; D051140:Selenoproteins; D000080662:Phospholipid Hydroperoxide Glutathione Peroxidase; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D012643:Selenium