Phospholipase C zeta undergoes dynamic changes in its pattern of localization in sperm during capacitation and the acrosome reaction.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the localization of phospholipase C zeta (PLC zeta) in non-capacitated, capacitated, and ionophore-treated sperm.


METHODS
Phospholipase C zeta was cloned from the hamster, an important model organism for studying fertilization. Next, we used hamster and mouse models to investigate the localization of PLC zeta in non-capacitated and capacitated sperm and in sperm treated with ionophore to induce the acrosome reaction.


METHODS
University laboratory.


METHODS
Male mice and hamsters, 4-6 weeks old.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
Phospholipase C zeta localization in non-capacitated, capacitated, and ionophore-treated sperm.


RESULTS
Full-length hamster PLC zeta complementary DNA is 1953 base pairs in size, encoding an open reading frame of 651 amino acids, sharing 85% amino acid similarity with the mouse. Phospholipase C zeta was localized in acrosomal and post-acrosomal regions of sperm. The post-acrosomal localization, which became more evident after capacitation and was maintained after ionophore treatment, is in line with PLC zeta being the endogenous agent of egg activation. However, the acrosomal PLC zeta population, which was lost after ionophore treatment, suggests that PLC zeta could have other functions besides egg activation.


CONCLUSIONS
Phospholipase C zeta is localized to acrosomal and post-acrosomal regions and undergoes dynamic changes during capacitation and the acrosome reaction, indicating a potential role regulating not only egg activation but other sperm functions.
Young
Claire
C
Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford, United Kingdom.
Grasa
Patricia
P
Coward
Kevin
K
Davis
Lianne C
LC
Parrington
John
J
D000177:Acrosome / Q000201:enzymology; D020101:Acrosome Reaction / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D006224:Cricetinae; D017931:DNA Primers; D015151:Immunoblotting; D008297:Male; D008647:Mesocricetus; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D054801:Phosphoinositide Phospholipase C / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013075:Sperm Capacitation / Q000502:physiology*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000201:enzymology*
D017931:DNA Primers; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D054801:Phosphoinositide Phospholipase C; C499234:Plcz1 protein, mouse