title: Reproductive function for a C-terminus extended, male-transmitted cytochrome c oxidase subunit II protein expressed in both spermatozoa and eggs.
abstract: Our previous study documented expression of a male-transmitted cytochrome c oxidase subunit II protein (MCOX2), with a C-terminus extension (MCOX2e), in unionoidean bivalve testes and sperm mitochondria. Here, we present evidence demonstrating that MCOX2 is seasonally expressed in testis, with a peak shortly before fertilization that is independent of sperm density. MCOX2 is localized to the inner and outer sperm mitochondrial membranes and the MCOX2 antibody's epitope is conserved across >65 million years of evolution. We also demonstrate the presence of male-transmitted mtDNA and season-specific MCOX2 spatial variation in ovaries. We hypothesize that MCOX2 plays a role in reproduction through gamete maturation, fertilization and/or embryogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA. rumela.chakrabarti@gmail.com
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chakrabarti
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: E G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Chapman
authors.forename: S P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Shepardson
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Trdan
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Curole
authors.forename: G T
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Watters
authors.forename: D T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vijayaraghavan
authors.forename: W R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Hoeh
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D010063:Ovum / Q000201:enzymology*; D012098:Reproduction / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D012621:Seasons; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000201:enzymology*; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D049876:Unionidae / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial; C117108:cytochrome C oxidase subunit II; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV