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
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 
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 Gi2, Gi3, Gq/11 and Gß35 and the absence of Gi1, Go, Gs, G12, G13, G16, Gz and Gß36. Indirect immunofluorescence demonstrates the presence of Gq/11 in the acrosome, with the highest proportion in the equatorial segment. Gi2 is present in the acrosome, midpiece and tailpiece and Gi3 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.
CiteULike 
Connotea 
Del.icio.us What's this?
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
 |
|
  P. C.N. Chiu, B. S.T. Wong, M.-K. Chung, K. K.W. Lam, R. T.K. Pang, K.-F. Lee, S.B. Sumitro, S.K. Gupta, and W. S.B. Yeung Effects of Native Human Zona Pellucida Glycoproteins 3 and 4 on Acrosome Reaction and Zona Pellucida Binding of Human Spermatozoa Biol Reprod, November 1, 2008; 79(5): 869 - 877. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
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]
|
|
|
|
|
|
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]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 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]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 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]
|
|
|
|
|
|
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]
|
|