鸡视网膜甘氨酸受体、乙酰胆碱受体及离子通道在两栖类卵母细胞中的表达和初步研究

利用两栖类卵母细胞表达鸡视网膜ｍＲＮＡ,借助电压箝方法研究鸡视网膜中的神经递质受体和离子通道、结果表明,鸡视网膜中存在甘氨酸受体和Ｎ型的乙酰胆碱受体。但天冬氨酸和５－ＨＴ、多巴胺未能诱导电流反应。此外还检测到电压依赖性的离子流,主要为延迟整流型的外向钾电流和快速的内向钠电流。     

鸡视网膜甘氨酸受体,乙酰胆碱受体及离子通道在两栖类卵母细胞中的表达和

利用两栖类卵母细胞表达鸡视网膜ｍＲＮＡ,借助电压箝方法研究鸡视网膜中的神经递质受体和离子通道。结果表明,鸡视网中存在甘氨酸受体和Ｎ型的乙酰胆碱受体。但天冬氨酸和５－ＨＴ、多巴胺未能诱导电流反应,此外还检测到电压依赖性的离子流、主要为延迟整流的外向钾电流和快速的内向钠电流。     

膜片钳技术应用于精子离子通道研究的进展

精子发生是个复杂的细胞事件,为了使这一事件有序的进行,生精细胞分裂和分化必须在信号调控下精确地进行。精子的离子通道在调节其离子平衡和重要的生理过程(精子能动性、顶体反应、对卵子的趋向性等)中都起了关键性的作用。离子通道表达水平或功能的改变都直接影响人类及其他动物的雄性生育能力。对离子通道的研究最直接的方法是膜片钳技术,但由于精子直径小,又是末端分化细胞,关于其电生理学的研究报道较少。该文介绍了精子离子通道的重要生理功能和电生理特征,同时分析了膜片钳技术在精子离子通道研究中的重要价值。     

哺乳动物精子中的ZP3结合蛋白研究进展

哺乳动物卵透明带糖蛋白ZP3(zona pellucida3)是介导精卵初级结合、诱发精子发生顶体反应的关键分子。目前已在精子中发现多种ZP3结合蛋白。95kD酪氨酸激酶受体可能通过其酪氨酸激酶活性介导ZP3诱发的顶体反应。β—1,4—半乳糖基转移酶与ZP3的糖基结合后,通过激活下游信号分子诱发顶体反应。精子蛋白sp56可能介导了顶体反应期间顶体基质与ZP之间的相互作用。透明带粘附素(zonadhesin)也是在顶体反应发生之后才与ZP发生相互作用。这些精子蛋白介导的下游信号事件将是下一步研究的热点。     

昆虫离子通道及其抗药性研究进展

昆虫细胞膜离子通道是多种杀虫剂的作用靶标,通道功能特性的变异等与害虫抗药性密切相关.电压钳及膜片钳等电生理技术在离子通道功能研究中具有独特优势,在杀虫剂作用机理及害虫抗性机理研究中越来越受到重视.昆虫细胞膜离子通道主要包括配体门控通道和电压门控通道两大类.配体门控通道主要包括乙酰胆碱受体、GABA和谷氨酸受体通道等.电压门控通道主要有钠、钾和钙通道等,其中钠通道研究成果较多,与害虫抗性关系密切.由于钙离子的重要生理功能,随着研究深入,钙通道将成为研究重点.     

小鼠精子睾丸后成熟过程中单克隆抗体MSH27抗原表位的显露

MSH2 7是一株抗小鼠精子的单克隆抗体 ,此抗体及其纯化的抗原分子在体外受精实验中均可以阻止精卵膜融合 ,因而推测其抗原在精卵膜融合过程中具有重要的作用 .这里探讨了抗原分子在精子睾丸后成熟过程中MSH2 7识别表位的显露条件 .MSH2 7抗原分子在睾丸中产生 ,定位于精子顶体后区的质膜上 ;但MSH2 7所识别的抗原表位只在顶体反应后的精子上表露 .在受精过程中 ,精子必须完成顶体反应并穿过卵子的透明带才能接近卵子质膜并与之融合 .同时还研究了顶体反应和穿透明带作用对MSH2 7表位显露的影响 .在附睾成熟过程中 ,随着精子在附睾中的转运 ,它们发生顶体反应的能力不断增加 ;精子抗原表位的显露呈现顶体反应依赖性 ,且两者呈现线性回归关系 .钙离子载体A2 3 187诱发顶体反应后 ,MSH2 7染色阳性的精子远远少于顶体反应的精子 ;但穿过透明带后绝大多数精子 ( 98% )呈现MSH2 7染色阳性 .总之 ,在睾丸后成熟 (附睾成熟、获能、顶体反应 )和精子穿透明带的过程中 ,对整个精子群体来讲 ,单抗MSH2 7所识别的抗原表位的显露和精子最终获得穿入卵子质膜的能力是同步发生的 .     

重组DNA技术应用于神经递质受体研究取得的进展

利用重组 DNA 技术已阐明了多种递质受体的一级结构。根据氨基酸序列的相似性和整体结构的一致性,可将这些受体分为与 G 蛋白有关的受体和配体门控受体两个家族。前者包括毒蕈碱型乙酰胆碱受体、β肾上腺紊受体、α_2肾上腺受体和 K 物质受体,视紫红质也可归入此类;后者包括烟碱型乙酰胆碱受体、GABA_A 受体和甘氨酸受体。     

视杆细胞光感受器上的门控通道——一种新型通道结构

配体门控通道和电压门控通道曾被认为是构成生物体所有通道蛋白质的基本单位;但这种学说近年来受到了挑战。1989年,Numa等在实验中首先发现肌浆网中的钙释放通道,即莱尼定受体,仅M_2、M_3区和乙酰胆碱受体间存在着一些相似的氨基酸顺序,达曾被认为是这两种非选择性阳离子通道功能相似的基础。最近Numa实验室首次克隆出一个cGMP门控离子通道,它位于脊椎动物视杆细胞光感受器上,可被外周段视     

乙酰胆碱受体α4β2亚型在非洲爪蟾卵母细胞中的表达

通过建立乙酰胆碱受体α4β2亚型(α4β2 nAChR)在非洲爪蟾卵母细胞中的表达模型,以便以α4β2 nAChR为作用靶点进行药物筛选。将乙酰胆碱受体亚基基因α4、β2体外转录获得的cRNA,通过显微注射的方法注入非洲爪蟾卵母细胞,并对该受体的表达情况进行检测。结果显示,乙酰胆碱受体α4β2亚型在蛙卵细胞中获得了有效表达,记录到典型的ACh配体门控的离子通道内向电流。     

乙酰胆碱受体与自身免疫疾病

乙酰胆碱受体 (ＡｃｈＲ)是一个配体介导的离子通道蛋白。由 5个同源亚基组成 ,亚基在内质网组成一个环 ,其中 β亚基参与组装序列 ,而未组装的亚基易被降解。肌肉乙酰胆碱受体是神经传导的重要媒介 ,是神经突触处化学信号与电信号相互转换的关键物质。通常肌体内不产生乙酰胆碱受体的抗体 ,但重症肌无力患者由于自身免疫系统紊乱 ,该抗体与乙酰胆碱结合 ,削弱了骨骼肌间的神经传导 ,引起肌无力。因为肌无力症具有典型的自身免疫疾病特点 ,因而对它的研究与自身免疫疾病紧密相关。1 .肌肉乙酰胆碱受体与自体免疫应答反应早在 6 0年代 ,科学…     

Evidence suggesting that the mouse sperm acrosome reaction initiated by the zona pellucida involves an alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor

The mammalian sperm acrosome reaction (AR) is essential to fertilization and is believed to be initiated in vivo by ZP3, a glycoprotein component of the egg zona pellucida (ZP). Recently, we reported the results of antagonist studies suggesting that a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) containing an alpha7 subunit (alpha7nAChR) plays a role in the human sperm AR initiated by recombinant human ZP3 or by acetylcholine (ACh). Here, we show that ACh can initiate the mouse sperm AR and that antagonists of the nAChR inhibit the AR initiated by ACh or by ZP obtained from ovarian oocytes (isolated heat-solubilized mouse ZP). Preincubation with three antagonists of the nAChR, alpha-bungarotoxin (100 nM), alpha-conotoxin IMI (100 nM), and methyllycaconitine (100 nM), significantly blocked AR initiation by ACh or by isolated heat-solubilized mouse ZP (P 相似文献   

The zona pellucida-initiated acrosome reaction: defect due to mutations in the sperm glycine receptor/Cl(-) channel

The mammalian sperm acrosome reaction (AR) is essential to fertilization, and the egg zona pellucida (ZP) is generally believed to be an in vivo initiator of the fertilizing sperm AR. Previously a neuronal glycine receptor/Cl(-) channel (GlyR) was detected on the plasma membrane of mammalian sperm and earlier pharmacological studies suggested that this receptor/channel is important to the ZP-initiated AR. Here, sperm from mice with mutations in the neuronal GlyR alpha or beta subunits (spasmodic and spastic) were shown to be deficient in their ability to undergo the AR initiated in vitro by glycine or by solubilized ZP from mouse eggs. However, both spontaneous and calcium ionophore (A23187)-initiated AR were unaffected. The ZP-initiated AR in wild-type sperm was maximal after 2 h of capacitation, but capacitation of sperm from spasmodic mice for up to 3 h did not result in significant ZP-initiated AR. Similar results were observed when sperm from wild-type and spastic mice were compared. Testis from mice with the beta subunit mutation contained truncated beta subunit mRNAs. Moreover, a monoclonal antibody against GlyR completely blocked ZP initiation of AR in normal mouse sperm. Our results are consistent with an essential role for the sperm GlyR in the ZP-initiated AR.     

A nicotinic acetylcholine receptor is involved in the arosome reaction of human sperm initiated by recombinant human ZP3

One of the essential steps in mammalian fertilization is the acrosome reaction (AR), a modified exocytotic event in the sperm head that occurs upon contact with the glycoprotein matrix of the zona pellucida (ZP) surrounding the oocyte. Acetylcholine (ACh) at concentrations of 10-250 micro M and nicotine at 10-250 nM significantly initiate the AR of capacitated human sperm. Preincubation with three antagonists of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR), alpha-bungarotoxin (alpha-BTX, 100 nM), alpha-conotoxin IMI (alpha-CTX IMI, 250 nM and 25 nM), and methyllycaconitine (MLA, 100 nM and 10 nM), significantly blocked AR initiation by ACh. alpha-BTX is an anatagonist of several nAChRs, including the alpha7 nAChR, and alpha-CTX IMI and MLA are highly specific antagonists of alpha7 subunit-containing AChRs. The sperm nAChR plays a role in the AR initiated in vitro by a purified recombinant human ZP protein (rhZP3). Previously, rhZP3 was able to stimulate the AR by mechanisms similar to those seen with native ZP. Preincubation of human sperm with alpha-BTX (from 10 micro M to 100 nM), alpha-CTX IMI (250 and 100 nM), or MLA (100 nM and 10 nM) caused a significant inhibition in the rhZP3-initated AR. The inhibition of the ACh-initiated and rhZP3-initiated AR by these nAChR antagonists strongly suggests the involvement of an alpha7 subunit-containing nAChR in the AR initiated by both ligands. AR initiation by progesterone was not inhibited by MLA or alpha-BTX, suggesting that this particularnAChR is not involved in the AR initiated by that ligand. In vitro results show for the first time that ACh can initiate the human sperm AR and strongly suggest that a human sperm alpha7 subunit-containing nAChR plays a role in the rhZP3-initiated AR. This nAChR ligand-gated ion channel may be important to the signal transduction events of ZP-initiated AR in vivo.     

Studies of sperm from mutant mice suggesting that two neurotransmitter receptors are important to the zona pellucida-initiated acrosome reaction

Two sperm neurotransmitter receptor/channels, the glycine receptor (GlyR) and a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor containing an alpha7 subunit (alpha7nAChR) were previously shown to be important to the mouse acrosome reaction (AR) initiated by solubilized egg zona pellucida (ZP). Here, we investigated whether sperm from homozygous mutant mice with a single amino acid mutation in the alpha subunit of their GlyR and sperm from homozygous mutant mice with an engineered disruption of the gene for the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor alpha7 subunit could undergo the AR on ZP-intact eggs. Wild-type and mutant sperm were treated with 3-quinuclidinyl benzilate (QNB), known to be an inhibitor of the ZP-initiated AR (but shown in the present work not to inhibit the acetylcholine-initiated AR). The ZP-initiated AR on ZP-intact eggs should occur only in sperm not treated with QNB. The absence of such an increase in the untreated mutant sperm would demonstrate that such sperm were unable to respond to the intact ZP. The results demonstrated for the first time that GlyR mutant sperm do not undergo the AR on ZP-intact mouse eggs, and that their ability to fertilize is inhibited by 63% in vitro. Moreover, we found that GlyR mutant sperm exhibited normal capacitation and confirmed that they not undergo the AR initiated by solubilized mouse ZP. Our studies demonstrated for the first time that sperm from mutant alpha7nAChR mice exhibit normal capacitation, do not undergo the AR in response to acetylcholine, solubilized ZP or on ZP-intact eggs, and display a 25% reduction in fertilization in vitro. This is the first genetic evidence for the importance of the alpha7nAChR in the ZP-initiated AR. While defects in either the GlyR or the alpha7nAChR completely inhibit the ZP-initiated AR, fertilization by these mutant sperm can still occur in vitro, probably due to sperm that complete spontaneous AR on the ZP.     

Hamster sperm glycine receptor: evidence for its presence and involvement in the acrosome reaction

Recent reports have provided evidence for the presence of amino acid neurotransmitter receptor/chloride channels in human and porcine spermatozoa and their involvement in the acrosome reaction (AR). In this work we investigated whether a glycine receptor (GlyR) was present in golden hamster sperm, and whether it had a role in the hamster AR. The neuronal GlyR agonist glycine, stimulated in a dose-dependent manner, the AR of hamster spermatozoa previously capacitated for at least 3 hr. This stimulation was completely inhibited by 50 microM (+)-bicuculline and by concentrations of strychnine as low as 10-50 nM; both agents are antagonists of neuronal GlyR when used at the concentrations reported in this study. beta-Alanine, another agonist of the neuronal GlyR, also stimulated the AR. The AR-stimulatory effect of this compound was completely abolished by 50 nM strychnine. The inhibitory effect of strychnine on the glycine-induced hamster sperm AR was completely overcome by subsequent treatment with the calcium ionophore ionomycin, demonstrating that the strychnine effect was specific for GlyR. Additional binding studies with (3)[H]-strychnine, the typical radioligand used to detect GlyR in several cells, demonstrated for the first time the presence of specific binding sites for strychnine in the hamster spermatozoa. Interestingly, binding increased during in vitro capacitation, particularly in those sperm suspensions showing high percentages of AR. Taken together these results strongly suggest the presence of a GlyR in the hamster spermatozoa, with a role in the AR when activated.     

T-type Ca2+ channels in sperm function

Intracellular Ca2+ regulates many fundamental physiological processes in excitable and non-excitable cells. Certainly this is the case of sperm where the local concentration of intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) is significantly influenced by Ca2+ permeable channels present in the cell plasma membrane. Amongst these channels, the voltage dependent Ca2+ channels (CaV) of the T-type (CaV3) appear to have an eminent role in the acrosome reaction (AR) of some sperm species, though they may participate in other important functions like motility and capacitation. The AR is an exocytotic event where the acrosome vesicle in the posterior region of the head fuses with the plasma membrane. This reaction allows sperm to fuse and fertilize the egg. Here we summarize our present knowledge regarding CaV3 channels in sperm, show the first direct electrophysiological evidence for their presence in maturing mouse sperm and discuss some of the relevant unanswered questions.     

The Croonian Lecture 2000. Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor and the structural basis of fast synaptic transmission

Communication in the nervous system takes place at chemical and electrical synapses, where neurotransmitter-gated ion channels, such as the nicotinic acetylcholine (ACh) receptor, and gap junction channels control propagation of electrical signals from one cell to the next. Newly developed electron crystallographic methods have revealed the structures of these channels trapped in open as well as closed states, suggesting how they work. The ACh receptor has large vestibules extending from the membrane which shape the ACh-binding pockets and facilitate selective transport of cations across a narrow membrane-spanning pore. When ACh enters the pockets it triggers a concerted conformational change that opens the pore by destabilizing a gate in the middle of the membrane made by a ring of pore-lining alpha-helical segmets. The alternative 'open' configuration of pore-lining segments reshapes the lumen and creates new surfaces, allowing the ions to pass through. The gap junction channel uses a similar structural mechanism, involving coordinated rearrangements of alpha-helical segments in the plane of the membrane, to open its pore.     

Identification of mouse trp homologs and lipid rafts from spermatogenic cells and sperm.

Intracellular Ca(2+) has an important regulatory role in the control of sperm motility, capacitation, and the acrosome reaction (AR). However, little is known about the molecular identity of the membrane systems that regulate Ca(2+) in sperm. In this report, we provide evidence for the expression of seven Drosophila transient receptor potential homolog genes (trp1-7) and three of their protein products (Trp1, Trp3 and Trp6) in mouse sperm. Allegedly some trps encode capacitative Ca(2+) channels. Immunoconfocal images showed that while Trp6 was present in the postacrosomal region and could be involved in sperm AR, expression of Trp1 and Trp3 was confined to the flagellum, suggesting that they may serve sperm to regulate important Ca(2+)-dependent events in addition to the AR. Likewise, one of these proteins (Trp1) co-immunolocalized with caveolin-1, a major component of caveolae, a subset of lipid rafts potentially important for signaling events and Ca(2+) flux. Furthermore, by using fluorescein-coupled cholera toxin B subunit, which specifically binds to the raft component ganglioside GM1, we identified caveolin- and Trp-independent lipid rafts residing in the plasma membrane of mature sperm. Notably, the distribution of GM1 changes drastically upon completion of the AR.     

A tale of two cells: endocannabinoid-signaling regulates functions of neurons and sperm

Sea urchin and human sperm contain receptors for neurotransmitters and psychoactive drugs, including cannabinoid receptors (CNRs). Anandamide, arachidonoylethanolamide (AEA), is a lipid-signal molecule that is an endogenous agonist for CNRs. AEA is enyzmatically released from membrane phospholipids when neurons are stimulated. Retrograde AEA signals from depolarized postsynaptic neurons inhibit neurotransmitter release at synapses in mammalian brain. Analogous processes regulate sperm functions during fertilization in sea urchins. AEA and (-)delta9tetrahydrocannabinol [(-)delta9THC], the major psychoactive constituent of marijuana, inhibit fertilization by blocking acrosomal exocytosis/acrosome reactions (AR) stimulated by egg jelly. The acrosome is a Golgi-derived secretory granule in sperm analogous to synaptic vesicles in neurons. AEA and (-)delta9THC do not block ionophore-induced AR, suggesting that they inhibit AR by modulating signal transduction event(s) before opening of ion channels. Unfertilized sea urchin eggs have enzymes required to release AEA from membrane phospholipids. These results indicate that sea urchin eggs may release AEA after activation by the fertilizing sperm. Released AEA may then react with CNRs in nearby sperm to block AR, thereby helping to prevent polyspermy. AEA is present in human seminal plasma, midcycle oviductal fluid, and follicular fluid. Sperm are sequentially exposed to these fluids as they move from the vagina to the site of fertilization in the oviduct. R-methanandamide (AM-356), a metabolically stable AEA analog, and (-)delta9THC modulate capacitation and fertilizing potential of human sperm in vitro. These findings suggest that AEA signaling directly affects sperm functions required for fertilization and provide additional evidence for common signaling processes in neurons and sperm.     

Progesterone induces hyperpolarization after a transient depolarization phase in human spermatozoa

Progesterone (P4) induces a membrane depolarization and various ion fluxes (chloride efflux, sodium and calcium influxes), which are required for the human sperm acrosome reaction (AR). By use of the potentiometric fluorescent dye DiSC3(5) and two different technical approaches, the present study aimed to quantify and further analyze P4-induced modifications in membrane potential in capacitated human spermatozoa. Spectrofluorimetric analysis revealed that the mean resting membrane potential of sperm was -58 +/- 2 mV (n = 12). When 10 microM P4 was added, the sperm membrane depolarized by approximately +15 mV, partly driven by a Cl- efflux. It subsequently repolarized to reach a significant lower potential than the initial resting potential in two thirds of the tested samples. The flow cytometry analysis showed a heterogeneous resting membrane potential and revealed that the depolarization-hyperpolarization events concerned only subpopulations, between 3% and 40% of the sperm cells according to the samples (n = 7). We hypothesize that P4 has a beneficial effect on the ability of zona pellucida to promote the AR in a sperm subpopulation by increasing the number of hyperpolarized cells presenting a membrane potential that is compatible with the opening of T-type calcium channels by subsequent zona pellucida-induced depolarization.