title: Voltage-dependent Ca(2+) channel subunit expression and immunolocalization in mouse spermatogenic cells and sperm.
abstract: Though voltage-dependent Ca(2+) channels contribute to the orchestration of sperm differentiation and function, many questions remain concerning their molecular architecture. This study shows that alpha(1A) and alpha(1C) Ca(2+) channel pore-forming subunits are expressed in spermatogenic cells. In addition, it provides what is to our knowledge the first evidence for the presence of the Ca(2+) channel beta auxiliary subunits in spermatogenic cells and sperm. Using RT-PCR we demonstrated the expression of all four known genes encoding the beta subunits in spermatogenic cells. Specific antibodies detected three of these proteins in spermatogenic cells and sperm. In spermatogenic cells both alpha(1) and beta subunits are diffusely distributed throughout the cytoplasm while in sperm they appear to be regionally localized.
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetics and Molecular Physiology, Institute of Biotechnology, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Avenida Universidad 2001, Col. Chamilpa, CP 62100, Cuernavaca, Mexico.
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Serrano
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Treviño
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Felix
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Darszon
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013090:Spermatocytes / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D015220:Calcium Channels