Dorin Julia R, Barratt Christopher L R
MRC Human Genetics Unit, MRC IGMM, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, UK
Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Medical School, University of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, UK.
Mol Hum Reprod. 2014 Sep;20(9):821-6. doi: 10.1093/molehr/gau050. Epub 2014 Jul 9.
Recent work in humans and mouse has confirmed the involvement of the host defence β-defensin peptides in male fertility. We discuss here the work that has implicated β-defensins in sperm function including the identification of the epididymis as the predominant site of expression of the peptides and the in vivo consequences of mutation and deletion. The potential dual role of these peptides in the regulation of infection and control of sperm maturation is compelling and may combine their antimicrobial activity with the ability of these molecules to interact with cell membrane receptors and modulate ion transport.
近期在人类和小鼠身上开展的研究证实，宿主防御β-防御素肽参与男性生育过程。在此，我们讨论了涉及β-防御素在精子功能方面作用的研究工作，包括确定附睾是这些肽的主要表达部位，以及突变和缺失在体内产生的后果。这些肽在感染调节和精子成熟控制方面的潜在双重作用引人注目，可能将它们的抗菌活性与这些分子与细胞膜受体相互作用及调节离子转运的能力结合起来。
