Nematode sperm maturation triggered by protease involves sperm-secreted serine protease inhibitor (Serpin).
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A
; 109(5): 1542-7, 2012 Jan 31.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-22307610
ABSTRACT
Spermiogenesis is a series of poorly understood morphological, physiological and biochemical processes that occur during the transition of immotile spermatids into motile, fertilization-competent spermatozoa. Here, we identified a Serpin (serine protease inhibitor) family protein (As_SRP-1) that is secreted from spermatids during nematode Ascaris suum spermiogenesis (also called sperm activation) and we showed that As_SRP-1 has two major functions. First, As_SRP-1 functions in cis to support major sperm protein (MSP)-based cytoskeletal assembly in the spermatid that releases it, thereby facilitating sperm motility acquisition. Second, As_SRP-1 released from an activated sperm inhibits, in trans, the activation of surrounding spermatids by inhibiting vas deferens-derived As_TRY-5, a trypsin-like serine protease necessary for sperm activation. Because vesicular exocytosis is necessary to create fertilization-competent sperm in many animal species, components released during this process might be more important modulators of the physiology and behavior of surrounding sperm than was previously appreciated.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Peptídeo Hidrolases
/
Espermatozoides
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Serpinas
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Nematoides
Limite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2012
Tipo de documento:
Article