1. Requirement of Phospholipase CΔ4 for the Zona Pellucida--Induced Acrosome Reaction
- Author
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Fukami, Kiyoko, Nakao, Kazuki, Inoue, Takafumi, Kataoka, Yuki, Kurokawa, Manabu, Fissore, Rafael A., Nakamura, Kenji, Katsuki, Motoya, Mikoshiba, Katsuhiko, Yoshida, Nobuaki, and Takenawa, Tadaomi
- Subjects
Zona pellucida -- Observations -- Research -- Usage ,Fertilization (Biology) -- Research -- Usage ,Phospholipases -- Research -- Usage ,Mice -- Usage -- Research ,Contraception -- Research -- Usage ,Science and technology ,Observations ,Usage ,Research - Abstract
Several phospholipase C (PLC) isoforms have been found in male and female mammalian gametes, and splicing isoforms of PLCΔ4 are predominantly expressed in testis. Here we report that male mice in which the PLCΔ4 gene had been disrupted either produced few small fitters or were sterile. In vitro fertilization studies showed that insemination with [PLCΔ4.sup.-/-] sperm resulted in significantly fewer eggs becoming activated and that the calcium transients associated with fertilization were absent or delayed. [PLCΔ4.sup.-/-] sperm were unable to initiate the acrosome reaction, an exocytotic event required for fertilization and induced by interaction with the egg coat, the zona pellucida. These data demonstrate that PLCΔ4 functions in the acrosome reaction that is induced by the zona pellucida during mammalian fertilization., Spatial and temporal activation of phosphoinositide turnover enables eukaryotic cells to induce various functions such as cell signaling, cytoskeletal remodeling, phagocytosis, membrane traffic, and ion channel activity (1, 2). Phospholipase [...]
- Published
- 2001