Skip Navigation

This Article
Right arrow Full Text Freely available
Right arrow FREE Full Text (PDF) Freely available
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in ISI Web of Science
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My Personal Archive
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow Search for citing articles in:
ISI Web of Science (18)
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Merlet, F.
Right arrow Articles by de Mazancourt, P.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Merlet, F.
Right arrow Articles by de Mazancourt, P.
Social Bookmarking
Add to CiteULike   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us  
What's this?

Molecular Human Reproduction, Vol. 5, No. 1, 38-45, January 1999
© 1999 European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology

Identification and localization of G protein subunits in human spermatozoa

Françoise Merlet1, Lee S. Weinstein2, Paul K. Goldsmith2, Tom Rarick3 and Jerry L. Hall4

Jean-Pierre Bisson1 and Philippe de Mazancourt5,6

1 Laboratoire de Fécondation In Vitro, Hôpital de Poissy, Poissy, France, 2 Metabolic Diseases Branch, NIDDKD, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 3 Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biophysics, NICHHD NIH, Bethesda, MD, 4 Center for Reproductive Research and Testing, Rockville, MD, USA and 5 Laboratoire de Biochimie et Biologie Moléculaire, Faculté de Médecine Paris-Ouest, Hôpital R.Poincaré, F92380, Garches, France

Antibodies to {alpha} and ß subunits of guanine nucleotide regulatory proteins (G proteins) were used to identify which G proteins are present in mature human spermatozoa and to determine their subcellular localization. Immunoblots of membranes from spermatozoa demonstrate the presence of G{alpha}i2, G{alpha}i3, G{alpha}q/11 and Gß35 and the absence of G{alpha}i1, G{alpha}o, G{alpha}s, G{alpha}12, G{alpha}13, G{alpha}16, G{alpha}z and Gß36. Indirect immunofluorescence demonstrates the presence of G{alpha}q/11 in the acrosome, with the highest proportion in the equatorial segment. G{alpha}i2 is present in the acrosome, midpiece and tailpiece and G{alpha}i3 in the postnuclear cap, midpiece and tailpiece. The Gß35 subunit is found mostly in the midpiece, with marginal labelling of the head, tailpiece and the equatorial segment of the acrosome. The distinct pattern of distribution of G proteins suggests that they may couple to receptors or effectors which also have discrete regions of localization in spermatozoa. These highly localized signal transduction pathways may regulate discrete functions, such as activation of the acrosome reaction, fusion with the oocyte and motility.

acrosome/equatorial segment/guanine nucleotide regulatory protein/immunohistochemistry/spermatozoa

6 To whom correspondence should be addressed

* Studies performed on human spermatozoa.


Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us    What's this?


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 Biol. Reprod.Home page
S. E Fiedler, M. Bajpai, and D. W Carr
Identification and Characterization of RHOA-Interacting Proteins in Bovine Spermatozoa
Biol Reprod, January 1, 2008; 78(1): 184 - 192.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Biol. Reprod.Home page
J.-L. Gatti, S. Metayer, M. Belghazi, F. Dacheux, and J.-L. Dacheux
Identification, Proteomic Profiling, and Origin of Ram Epididymal Fluid Exosome-Like Vesicles
Biol Reprod, June 1, 2005; 72(6): 1452 - 1465.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Mol Hum ReprodHome page
L. R. Fraser, S. A. Adeoya-Osiguwa, and R. W. Baxendale
First messenger regulation of capacitation via G protein-coupled mechanisms: a tale of serendipity and discovery
Mol. Hum. Reprod., December 1, 2003; 9(12): 739 - 748.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Endocr. Rev.Home page
L. S. Weinstein, S. Yu, D. R. Warner, and J. Liu
Endocrine Manifestations of Stimulatory G Protein {alpha}-Subunit Mutations and the Role of Genomic Imprinting
Endocr. Rev., October 1, 2001; 22(5): 675 - 705.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Biol. Reprod.Home page
C. Allegrucci, L. Liguori, and A. Minelli
Stimulation by N6-Cyclopentyladenosine of A1 Adenosine Receptors, Coupled to G{{alpha}}i2 Protein Subunit, Has a Capacitative Effect on Human Spermatozoa
Biol Reprod, June 1, 2001; 64(6): 1653 - 1659.
[Abstract] [Full Text]


Disclaimer:
Please note that abstracts for content published before 1996 were created through digital scanning and may therefore not exactly replicate the text of the original print issues. All efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, but the Publisher will not be held responsible for any remaining inaccuracies. If you require any further clarification, please contact our Customer Services Department.