G-protein regulation of the solubilized human zona pellucida-mediated acrosome reaction and zona pellucida binding
Date
1999
Authors
Bastiaan H.
Franken D.
Wranz P.
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Abstract
Purpose: The study aimed to evaluate the (i) regulatory role of G(i)- like protein during the acrosome reaction (AR) of normal sperm donors and (ii) the role of intact acrosomes during sperm-zone binding. Methods: The acrosomal exocytosis of spermatozoa incubated with solubilized zone pellucida (ZP) at a final concentration of 1 ZP/μl was compared with 10 μM calcium ionophore A23187 and 30% (v/v) pooled human follicular fluid (HFF). Spermatozoa were incubated with 1, 10, and 100 ng/ml pertussis toxin (PT) during capacitation to functionally inactivate the G(i)-like protein. The sperm-zona binding potential of 100 ng/ml PT-treated spermatozoa followed, by exposure to 1 ZP/μl, revealed significantly higher zona-bound spermatozoa compared to controls treated with 1 ZP/μl only. Results: PT treatment of spermatozoa did not affect sperm motility, however, inhibited the percentage AR induced by solubilized ZP. In contrast, the A23187- and HFF-induced ARs were not sensitive to PT treatment. PT inhibition of the ZP-induced AR occurred in a concentration-dependent manner, with maximal effects observed at 100 ng/ml PT. Conclusions: In conclusion, it seems that PT-sensitive G(i)- like protein in human spermatozoa plays an important regulatory role in the AR induced by the human ZP, and this underlines the importance of intact acrosomes during sperm-zona binding.
Description
Keywords
calcimycin, guanine nucleotide binding protein, pertussis toxin, acrosome reaction, article, controlled study, exocytosis, human, human cell, normal human, ovary follicle fluid, priority journal, regulatory mechanism, spermatozoon motility, zona pellucida, Acrosome Reaction, Calcimycin, Exocytosis, Female, Follicular Fluid, GTP-Binding Proteins, Humans, Male, Oocytes, Pertussis Toxin, Spermatozoa, Virulence Factors, Bordetella, Zona Pellucida
Citation
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics
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