Tulsiani D R P, Abou-Haila A
Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA.
Minerva Ginecol. 2011 Apr;63(2):103-18.
Mammalian fertilization is the net result of a highly programmed sequence of molecular events that collectively result in the union of two radically different looking haploid cells, sperm and egg, to form a diploid zygote. For successful fertilization, sperm cells undergo continuous modifications during their formation in the testis, maturation in the epididymis, and capacitation in the female genital tract. Only capacitated acrosome-intact spermatozoa are capable of binding to the egg's extracellular coat, the zona pellucida (ZP) in a receptor-ligand manner. The species-specific irreversible binding of the opposite gametes elevates intrasperm Ca2+ and triggers a signal transduction cascade that results in the fusion of the sperm plasma membrane and outer acrosomal membrane at multiple sites (i.e., induction of the acrosomal reaction) and the secretion of acrosomal contents. The hydrolytic action of the acrosomal enzymes (i.e., glycohydrolases, proteinases etc.) released at the site of sperm-egg binding along with the hyperactivated beat pattern of the bound spermatozoon, are important factors that regulate its penetration of the ZP and fertilization of the egg. In this article, we intend to discuss data from this and other laboratories that provide useful insights into biology underlying sperm development in the testis, maturation in the epididymis, capacitation in the female genital tract, sperm-egg interaction, and induction of the acrosome reaction (AR) before the acrosome reacted sperm can fertilize an egg. Our intention is also to discuss how Ca2+ signaling cascades regulate sperm functions and male fertility. Finally, we will discuss sperm molecules that are under intensive research to regulate male fertility.
哺乳动物受精是一系列高度程序化分子事件的最终结果,这些事件共同导致两个外观截然不同的单倍体细胞——精子和卵子结合,形成二倍体受精卵。为了成功受精,精子细胞在睾丸中形成、附睾中成熟以及雌性生殖道中获能的过程中会不断发生变化。只有获能且顶体完整的精子才能以受体 - 配体的方式与卵子的细胞外被——透明带(ZP)结合。异性配子的物种特异性不可逆结合会提高精子内的Ca2+水平,并触发信号转导级联反应,导致精子质膜和顶体外膜在多个位点融合(即诱导顶体反应)以及顶体内容物的分泌。在精卵结合位点释放的顶体酶(即糖苷水解酶、蛋白酶等)的水解作用以及结合精子的超激活搏动模式,是调节其穿透透明带和使卵子受精的重要因素。在本文中,我们打算讨论来自本实验室和其他实验室的数据,这些数据为睾丸中精子发育、附睾中成熟、雌性生殖道中获能、精卵相互作用以及顶体反应(AR)诱导等生物学过程提供了有用的见解,而顶体反应后的精子才能使卵子受精。我们还打算讨论Ca2+信号级联反应如何调节精子功能和男性生育能力。最后,我们将讨论正在深入研究的调节男性生育能力的精子分子。