Rod outer segment membrane guanylate cyclase type 1 (ROS-GC1) calcium-modulated transduction system in the sperm.
OBJECTIVE
Evaluation of the presence of a Ca(2+)-regulated membrane guanylate cyclase signal transudation system in the spermatozoa.


METHODS
Experimental study.


METHODS
Research university laboratory.


METHODS
Human sperm obtained from healthy donors who met the criteria of the World Health Organization for normozoospermia and bovine semen collected from bulls of proven fertility.


METHODS
Radioimmunoassay and immunohistochemistry of human and bovine spermatozoa.


METHODS
The membrane guanylate cyclase activity and the presence of membrane guanylate cyclase transduction machinery components in the spermatozoa.


RESULTS
The identity of a Ca(2+)-modulated membrane guanylate cyclase transduction machinery in human and bovine spermatozoa has been documented. The machinery is both inhibited and stimulated within nanomolar to semimicromolar range of free Ca(2+). The transduction component of this machinery is the rod outer segment membrane guanylate cyclase type 1 (ROS-GC1). The enzyme coexists with three Ca(2+)-dependent modulators: guanylate cyclase activating protein type 1 (GCAP1), S100B and neurocalcin delta. ROS-GC1 and its modulators are present in the heads and tails of both species' spermatozoa.


CONCLUSIONS
The coexpression of ROS-GC1 and its activators in spermatozoa suggests that the Ca(2+)-modulated ROS-GC1 transduction system may be a part of the fertilization machinery.
Jankowska
Anna
A
Department of Cell Biology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Rokietnicka 5D, 60-806 Poznan, Poland. ajanko@ump.edu.pl
Burczyńska
Beata
B
Duda
Teresa
T
Warchol
Jerzy B
JB
D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D002417:Cattle; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000201:enzymology; D005306:Fertilization / Q000502:physiology*; D006162:Guanylate Cyclase / Q000378:metabolism*; D051604:Guanylate Cyclase-Activating Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D051596:Neurocalcin / Q000378:metabolism; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000378:metabolism*; D064568:S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit; D009418:S100 Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*; D013077:Sperm Head / Q000201:enzymology*; D013082:Sperm Tail / Q000201:enzymology*
C496736:GUCA1A protein, human; D051604:Guanylate Cyclase-Activating Proteins; C496685:NCALD protein, human; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D051596:Neurocalcin; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D064568:S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit; D009418:S100 Proteins; C579160:S100B protein, human; C110715:guanylate cyclase 1; D006162:Guanylate Cyclase; D002118:Calcium