title: Sperm PLCζ: from structure to Ca2+ oscillations, egg activation and therapeutic potential.
abstract: Significant evidence now supports the assertion that cytosolic calcium oscillations during fertilization in mammalian eggs are mediated by a testis-specific phospholipase C (PLC), termed PLC-zeta (PLCζ) that is released into the egg following gamete fusion. Herein, we describe the current paradigm of PLCζ in this fundamental biological process, summarizing recent important advances in our knowledge of the biochemical and physiological properties of this enzyme. We describe the data suggesting that PLCζ has distinct features amongst PLCs enabling the hydrolysis of its substrate, phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) at low Ca(2+) levels. PLCζ appears to be unique in its ability to target PIP2 that is present on intracellular vesicles. We also discuss evidence that PLCζ may be a significant factor in human fertility with potential therapeutic capacity.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Molecular and Experimental Medicine, WHRI, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Heath Park, CF144XN Cardiff, UK. Electronic address: mixosn@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Michail
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nomikos
authors.forename: Junaid
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kashir
authors.forename: Karl
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Swann
authors.forename: F Anthony
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Lai
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D020013:Calcium Signaling; D005306:Fertilization; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000401:mortality* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D009865:Oocytes / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000502:physiology; D054801:Phosphoinositide Phospholipase C / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D021381:Protein Transport; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000201:enzymology
chemical_list: C499235:PLCZ1 protein, human; D054801:Phosphoinositide Phospholipase C
keywords: Calcium signaling; Egg activation; Fertilization; Infertility; Phospholipase C (PLC); Phospholipase C zeta (PLCζ); Sperm