磷脂酶A2亚型及其与男性生殖相关性研究

磷脂酶A2(phospholipase A2,PLA2)是参与细胞代谢活动、信号转导等过程的重要酶类之一,广泛分布于哺乳动物机体内。随着对磷脂酶A2研究的深入,目前已有30余种磷脂酶A2亚型被逐一鉴定,磷脂酶A2亚型与男性生殖相关性研究也有了新的发现。该文通过对磷脂酶A2的最新亚型分类及其特征、磷脂酶A2在男性生殖系统中的分布、磷脂酶A2参与精子顶体反应及其信号转导通路以及与男性生殖相关的磷脂酶A2亚型等内容进行分析,研究磷脂酶A2在男性生殖系统中发挥的作用及其机制,为男性不育的诊断和治疗提供理论依据和思路策略。     

1,4,5-三磷酸肌醇在细胞信号转换系统中的作用

肌醇磷酸脂代谢的中间产物1,4,5-三磷酸肌醇在细胞内外的信号转换系统中起着重要的媒介作用。各种不以cAMP 为第二信使的细胞外激动剂作用于靶细胞的相应受体时,首先激活细胞膜上特异的磷脂酶C,使4,5-二磷酸磷脂酰肌醇水解,释出1,4,5-三磷酸肌醇,后者进一步使细胞内Ca~(2 )贮释放,从而激活钙/钙调蛋白系统,引起细胞的各种生理效应。     

ABCA1介导胆固醇外流及抗炎的信号通路研究进展

ABCA1抗动脉粥样硬化的作用主要通过以下两种途径:介导细胞内胆固醇流出和抑制炎症。载脂蛋白与ABCA1的相互作用可激活多个信号通路,包括JAK2/STAT3、蛋白激酶A(PKA)、Rho家族G蛋白CDC42和蛋白激酶C(PKC)等信号通路。ABCA1通过修饰细胞膜脂筏或直接激活信号通路而介导脂质流出和发挥抗炎功能。对这些信号通路的认识,能为动脉粥样硬化相关疾病提供新的治疗靶点。     

GABA/孕酮激发豚鼠精子聚磷酸肌醇降解及其在顶体反应中的作用

为了研究GABA/孕酮(P₄)激发精子聚磷酸肌醇(PPI)降解及其在顶体反应(AR)中的作用,将豚鼠精子在MCM培养基获能培养5.5 h,³²P-标记精子1h,经Percoll密度梯度离心洗涤,然后以AR刺激剂激发精子AR,并对精子膜脂进行提取、分离和鉴定,同时,以相差显微镜评价精子AR%.结果为:(i)GABA刺激二磷酸磷脂酰肌醇(PIP₂)和一磷酸磷脂酰肌醇(PIP)迅速降解,而磷脂酸(PA)增加;在5min时PIP₂和PIP明显下降,10min几近完成,而AR明显滞后,15min才达到峰值;(ii)A23187,P₄和GABA均可激发PPI降解和AR增加,其能力依次为A23187＞P₄≥GABA;(iii)新霉素可明显地抑制Ca²⁺/GABA 或P₄及A23187刺激PIP₂和PIP降解、PA产生和AR增加;(iv)PPI降解需Ca²⁺参与.当EGTA或Ca²⁺通道阻滞剂(La³⁺)存在时,PIP₂和PIP降解,PA产生和AR升高均被明显抑制.上述结果表明,天然激动剂GABA或P₄刺激豚鼠精子膜PPI降解是引起AR的基础,该作用是通过Ca²⁺介导、激活膜磷脂酰肌醇特异磷脂酶C(PIC)而完成的.     

膜联蛋白A1在恶性肿瘤中的研究进展

膜联蛋Al(Annexin Al,Anx Al)是一类细胞中广泛存在的钙磷脂结合蛋白,具有高度保守的C端中心结构域和独特的N末端,参与多种重要的细胞生理过程.其作为蛋白激酶C及酪氨酸蛋白激酶的底物参与MAPK/ERK信号传导通路,并作为PLA2的抑制剂调节细胞活动.近来多项研究表明膜联蛋白Al通过调节MAPK/ERK信号传导通路参与多种肿瘤的发生,并且参与肿瘤的分化与转移等.本文就膜联蛋白Al与恶性肿瘤发生、发展与转移之间的关系做一综述.     

佛波酯诱导一种新的磷脂酶D酶解产物的生成

在人肺癌表面细胞株A－549中检测到佛波酯诱导的丁醇化鞘脂分子的产生。用[^3H]－丝氨酸标记细胞,其放射性在磷脂酰胆碱、磷脂酰丝氨酸、磷脂酰乙醇胺极性头部的分布很容易被检测到,而在磷脂酸及其直接代谢衍生物中并不存在,提示这种磷脂酶D的酶解产物来源于鞘脂分子的水解,而不同于以甘油磷脂为底物的磷脂酶D的酶解产物。蛋白激酶C的抑制剂或通过佛波酯长时间处理下调细胞内蛋白激酶C水平,可抑制佛波酯诱导的丁酯化鞘脂分子的产生,表明导致这种磷脂酶D的活化需要蛋白激酶C的参与。     

鼠重组磷脂酶D2腺病毒的构建及功能的初步研究

将磷脂酰胆碱专一性磷脂酶D2基因及其功能缺陷点突变基因 (K75 8R)从真核表达载体pCGN中克隆至带有绿色荧光标记蛋白的穿梭质粒pAdTrack CMV中 ;再与腺病毒骨架载体一起在大肠杆菌BJ5183中进行同源重组 ,成功构建磷脂酶D2重组腺病毒。该病毒颗粒感染人胚肾 2 93细胞 ,高效表达磷脂酶D2及其功能缺陷蛋白。这种表达对M3乙酰胆碱受体介导的细胞内磷脂酶D激活无影响。但磷脂酶D2功能缺陷蛋白对蛋白激酶C介导的胞内磷脂酶D激活有显著抑制作用 ;相反 ,磷脂酶D2蛋白有显著增强作用。结果表明     

组胺H1受体功能及调节机制研究进展

组胺1型受体(H1R]受体作为组胺最主要的受体亚型,广泛分布于中枢和外周神经末梢,随着各类新型H1受体桔抗剂的发现和基因敲除动物的应用,H1R的功能研究及其活化调节机制研究也不断深入.组胺通过H1R参与调节机体多种重要的生理病理功能,如参与炎症反应、疼痛反应、血管调节、认知功能、睡眠清醒节律、饮食节律和肥胖等.H1R活化可激活磷脂酶C(PLC),PLC水解1,4,5-磷脂酰二磷酸盐产生甘油二酯(DAG)和肌醇三磷酸(IP3),后者激活细胞内Ca2+通道,活化氮氧化物合成酶,最终生成NO和鸟苷酸环化酶(cGMP),并引起钾通道开放,导致超极化;也可激活磷脂酶A2(PLA2)形成花生四烯酸(AA).H1R可通过活化其基因转录水平进行上调.本文就近十年来国外相关进展情况做一综述.     

甘油二酯激活蛋白激酶C

钙依赖性蛋白激酶分为两类:一类与调钙素结合就激活,如肌球蛋白轻链激酶;另一类为蛋白激酶C,它分布很广,由磷脂酰丝氨酸及其他脂类激活。在细胞外信号刺激一定的受体后,膜的含肌醇的脂质短时分解产生甘油二酯(DG),它能在未激动的细胞内钙浓度下激活蛋白激酶C。DG 还能提高蛋白激酶C 对Ca~(2 )的敏感性。在有DG 时,当游离钙在10~(-7)mol 上下时,蛋白激酶C 就被激活。没有DG,即使有磷脂     

蛋白激酶C研究的最新进展

作为能使蛋白激酶C(PKC)活化的第二信使甘油二酯(DAG)不仅可由磷脂酰肌醇(PtdIns)水解产生,大量实验表明还可从磷脂酰胆碱(PC)水解而来,其中磷脂酶C(PLC)及磷脂酶D(PLD)参与了这一过程,磷脂酶A₂(PLA₂)的作用产物脂肪酸(FA)也能激活PKC.PKC至少有10种亚型,依据其活化方式可分三大类:典型PKC,新PKC和非典型PKC.PKC参与了基因表达的调控.     

Calcium and phospholipase A2 are both required for the acrosome reaction mediated by G-proteins stimulation in human spermatozoa

G-proteins, calcium, and phospholipase A2 (PLA2) have all been implicated in the cascade of signaling events leading to the acrosome reaction in human spermatozoa. In order to study the role of Ca+2 and PLA2 during the acrosome reaction triggered by G-proteins, we treated human spermatozoa incubated for 3 hr under capacitating conditions with several reagents (GTPgammaS, A23187, ONO-RS-082, arachidonic acid, BAPTA-AM, and TPEN), alone or in different combinations. Our results suggest that GTP-binding proteins require Ca+2 and PLA2 to accomplish their stimulatory effect, and that Ca+2 is also required when the acrosome reaction--bypassing the action of PLA2--is stimulated by AA. Accordingly, when treated with GTPgammaS or AA, the cells loaded with Fura 2-AM showed a steady increase of [Ca+2]i. On the other hand, a massive influx of Ca+2 was completely unable to induce the acrosome reaction if PLA2 was inhibited, suggesting that both an increase of [Ca+2]i and PLA2 activation are required for the acrosome reaction to occur.     

Crosstalk between protein kinase A and C regulates phospholipase D and F-actin formation during sperm capacitation

Mammalian spermatozoa should reside in the female reproductive tract for a certain time before gaining the ability to fertilize. During this time, the spermatozoa undergo a series of biochemical processes collectively called capacitation. We recently demonstrated that actin polymerization is a necessary step in the cascade leading to capacitation. We demonstrate here for the first time a role for phospholipase D (PLD) in the induction of actin polymerization and capacitation in spermatozoa. The involvement of PLD is supported by specific inhibition of F-actin formation during sperm capacitation by PLD inhibitors and the stimulation of fast F-actin formation by exogenous PLD or phosphatidic acid (PA). Moreover, PLD activity is enhanced during capacitation before actin polymerization. Protein kinase A (PKA), known to be active in sperm capacitation, and protein kinase C (PKC), involved in the acrosome reaction, can both activate PLD and actin polymerization. We suggest that PKA- and PKC-dependent signal transduction pathways can potentially lead to PLD activation; however, under physiological conditions, actin polymerization depends primarily on PKA activity. Activation of PKA during capacitation causes inactivation of phospholipase C, and as a result, PKC activation is prevented. It appears that PKA activation promotes sperm capacitation whereas early activation of PKC during capacitation would jeopardize this process.     

Zona pellucida induces activation of phospholipase A2 during acrosomal exocytosis in guinea pig spermatozoa

Phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) is activated in spermatozoa in response to progesterone and Ca(2+) ionophores, but to our knowledge, no study has yet reported zona pellucida (ZP)-induced activation of PLA(2). We investigated whether PLA(2) is involved in ZP-stimulated acrosomal exocytosis, if Ca(2+) is required for activation of PLA(2), and signal transduction pathways modulating PLA(2) using guinea pig sperm as a model. Spermatozoa were capacitated and labeled in low-Ca(2+) medium with [(14)C]choline chloride or [(14)C]arachidonic acid and were then exposed to millimolar Ca(2+) and various reagents and stimulated with ZP. Precapacitated spermatozoa exposed to millimolar Ca(2+) and stimulated with ZP experienced increases in arachidonic acid (AA) and lysophosphatidylcholine (lysoPC) levels and a parallel decrease in phosphatidylcholine level; these changes are indicative of PLA(2) activation. Simulation with ZP also led to acrosomal exocytosis in a high proportion of spermatozoa. Lipid changes and exocytosis were prevented if spermatozoa were exposed to aristolochic acid, a PLA(2) inhibitor, before treatment with ZP. Stimulation with ZP in medium without added Ca(2+) or in medium with millimolar Ca(2+) and EGTA or La(3+) resulted in no lipid changes or exocytosis. Pretreatment with pertussis toxin, a G(i) protein inhibitor, before stimulation with ZP blocked the release of AA and lysoPC as well as acrosomal exocytosis. Exposure of spermatozoa to the diacylglycerol (DAG) kinase inhibitor R59022 before ZP stimulation led to a significant increase in generation of lysoPC and exocytosis. Taken together, these results indicate very strongly that PLA(2) plays an essential role in ZP-induced exocytosis in spermatozoa, that PLA(2) activation requires Ca(2+) internalization, and that PLA(2) activation is regulated by signal transduction pathways involving G proteins and DAG.     

GABA, progesterone and zona pellucida activation of PLA2 and regulation by MEK-ERK1/2 during acrosomal exocytosis in guinea pig spermatozoa

We investigated whether GABA activates phospholipase A2 (PLA2) during acrosomal exocytosis, and if the MEK-ERK1/2 pathway modulates PLA2 activation initiated by GABA, progesterone or zona pellucida (ZP). In guinea pig spermatozoa prelabelled with [14C]arachidonic acid or [14C]choline chloride, GABA stimulated a decrease in phosphatidylcholine (PC), and release of arachidonic acid and lysoPC, during exocytosis. These lipid changes are indicative of PLA2 activation and appear essential for exocytosis since inclusion of aristolochic acid (a PLA2 inhibitor) abrogated them, along with exocytosis. GABA activation of PLA2 seems to be mediated, at least in part, by diacylglycerol (DAG) and protein kinase C since inclusion of the DAG kinase inhibitor R59022 enhanced PLA2 activity and exocytosis stimulated by GABA, whereas exposure to staurosporine decreased both. GABA-, progesterone- and ZP-induced release of arachidonic acid and exocytosis were prevented by U0126 and PD98059 (MEK inhibitors). Taken together, our results suggest that PLA2 plays a fundamental role in agonist-stimulated exocytosis and that MEK-ERK1/2 are involved in PLA2 regulation during this process.     

Identification and characterization of RHOA-interacting proteins in bovine spermatozoa

In somatic cells, RHOA mediates actin dynamics through a GNA13-mediated signaling cascade involving RHO kinase (ROCK), LIM kinase (LIMK), and cofilin. RHOA can be negatively regulated by protein kinase A (PRKA), and it interacts with members of the A-kinase anchoring (AKAP) family via intermediary proteins. In spermatozoa, actin polymerization precedes the acrosome reaction, which is necessary for normal fertility. The present study was undertaken to determine whether the GNA13-mediated RHOA signaling pathway may be involved in acrosome reaction in bovine caudal sperm, and whether AKAPs may be involved in its targeting and regulation. GNA13, RHOA, ROCK2, LIMK2, and cofilin were all detected by Western blot in bovine caudal sperm. Overlay, immunoprecipitation, and subsequent mass spectrometry analysis identified several RHOA-interacting proteins, including proacrosin, angiotensin-converting enzyme, tubulin, aldolase C, and AKAP4. Using overlay and pulldown techniques, we demonstrate that phosphorylation of AKAP3 increases its interaction with the RHOA-interacting proteins PRKAR2 (the type II regulatory subunit of PRKA, formerly RII) and ropporin (ROPN1, a PRKAR2-like protein, or R2D2). Varying calcium concentrations in pulldown assays did not significantly alter binding to R2D2 proteins. These data suggest that the actin-regulating GNA13-mediated RHOA-ROCK-LIMK-cofilin pathway is present in bovine spermatozoa, that RHOA interacts with proteins involved in capacitation and the acrosome reaction, and that RHOA signaling in sperm may be targeted by AKAPs. Finally, AKAP3 binding to PRKAR2 and ROPN1 is regulated by phosphorylation in vitro.     

Immunocytochemical localization of phospholipase A2 in hamster spermatozoa.

Antibodies raised against porcine pancreatic phospholipase A2 (PLA2) react in immunoblottings with both the antigen as well as with one protein band of about 14 kDa from hamster spermatozoa extracts. Immunoblottings of proteins extracted from spermatozoon head and tail fractions also show similar results. Anti-PLA2 purified IgGs were employed for light and electron microscopic immunocytochemistry in order to detect PLA2 in hamster cauda epididymal spermatozoa. When whole mount spread spermatozoa were used under light (employing the PAP complex) or electron microscopy (using anti-rabbit gold conjugated), the acrosomal area of the gametes shows a noticeable labelling; a characteristic which is not observed in samples treated with the pre-immune serum. Immunocytochemistry undertaken in ultrathin sections from spermatozoon samples embedded in Lowicryl, demonstrates that the antigen appears preferentially distributed in the acrosome. Besides, sperm tails showed a scattered distribution of gold granules in the mitochondria of the midpiece. Results suggest that the antibody used recognizes a PLA2 which is preferentially located in the acrosome and mitochondria. On the other hand, the presence of a surface PLA2 in the plasma membrane covering the acrosome is suggested. This surface PLA2 would be probably related to the acrosome reaction phenomenon that occurs in the spermatozoon before penetrating the oocyte.     

Autophosphorylation of boar sperm membranes

Boar sperm plasma membranes and the membranes released during an in vitro acrosome-like reaction were capable of autophosphorylation. The purified membranes were incubated in Tyrode's buffer containing [32P]ATP with or without Ca2+ and/or diacylglycerol. In both membrane fractions, Ca2+ plus diacylglycerol stimulated the autophosphorylation of several sperm membrane proteins. These results suggest a protein kinase C activity is present in sperm membranes and could play a role in the acrosome reaction.     

Immunocytochemical localization of phospholipase A2 in hamster spermatozoa

Summary Antibodies raised against porcine pancreatic phospholipase A2 (PLA2) react in immunoblottings with both the antigen as well as with one protein band of about 14 kDa from hamster spermatozoa extracts. Immunoblottings of proteins extracted from spermatozoon head and tail fractions also show similar results. Anti-PLA2 purified IgGs were employed for light and electron microscopic immunocytochemistry in order to detect PLA2 in hamster cauda epididymal spermatozoa. When whole mount spread spermatozoa were used under light (employing the PAP complex) or electron microscopy (using anti-rabbit gold conjugated), the acrosomal area of the gametes shows a noticeable labelling; a characteristic which is not observed in samples treated with the pre-immune serum. Immunocytochemistry undertaken in ultrathin sections from spermatozoon samples embedded in Lowicryl, demonstrates that the antigen appears preferentially distributed in the acrosome. Besides, sperm tails showed a scattered distribution of gold granules in the mitochondria of the midpiece. Results suggest that the antibody used recognizes a PLA2 which is preferentially located in the acrosome and mitochondria. On the other hand, the presence of a surface PLA2 in the plasma membrane covering the acrosome is suggested. This surface PLA2 would be probably related to the acrosome reaction phenomenon that occurs in the spermatozoon before penetrating the oocyte.     

The acrosome reaction in human spermatozoa

During gamete interaction, sperm acrosome reaction (AR) induced by oocyte investment is a prerequisite event for the spermatozoa to pass through the zona pellucida (ZP), fuse with and penetrate the oocyte. Progesterone (P4), secreted by cumulus cells, is an important cofactor for the occurrence of this exocytosis event. The AR results from the fusion between outer acrosomal and plasma membranes, leading to inner acrosomal membrane exposure. Binding of agonists, P4 or ZP3 glycoprotein, to plasma membrane sperm receptors activates intraspermatic signals and enzymatic pathways involved in the AR. Among the proteins or glycoproteins described as potential sperm receptors for ZP, Gi/Go protein-coupled and tyrosine kinase receptors have been described. Sperm receptors for P4 are poorly characterized, except a putative GABA(A)-like receptor. ZP- and P4-promoted AR is mediated by an obligatory intracellular calcium increase, appearing first at the acrosome equatorial segment and spreading throughout the head. The plasma membrane channels involved in calcium entry are operated by a plasma membrane depolarization and protein phosphorylations mediated by protein kinase C and tyrosine kinase protein. Part of the calcium increase could also be due to intracellular store release through IP3- and nucleotide (cAMP)-gated channels. Besides adenylate cyclase and phospholipase C activations, intracellular calcium increase also stimulates PLA2 activity and actin depolymerization, leading to membrane fusion. Evaluation of AR by staining or fluorescent probes can be useful to predict fertilization success and to direct the therapeutic strategy in male infertility.     

Pentoxifylline induced signalling events during capacitation of hamster spermatozoa: significance of protein tyrosine phosphorylation.

To fertilize the oocyte, mammalian spermatozoa must undergo capacitation and acrosome reaction. These events are believed to be associated with various biochemical changes primarily mediated by cAMP, Ca2+ and protein kinases. But the precise signaling mechanisms governing sperm function are not clear. To study this, we used pentoxifylline (PF), a sperm motility stimulant and a cAMP-phosphodiesterase inhibitor, during capacitation and acrosome reaction of hamster spermatozoa. PF induced an early onset of sperm capacitation and its action involved modulation of sperm cell signaling molecules viz, cAMP, [Ca2+]i and protein kinases. The PF-induced capacitation was associated with an early and increased total protein phosphorylation coupled with changes in the levels of reactive oxygen species. Protein kinase (PK)-A inhibitor (H-89) completely inhibited phosphorylation of a 29 kDa protein while PK-C inhibitor (staurosporine) did not inhibit phosphorylation. Interestingly, PF induced protein tyrosine phosphorylation of a set of proteins (Mr 45-80 K) and a greater proportion of PF-treated spermatozoa exhibited protein tyrosine phosphorylation, compared to untreated controls (82 + 9% vs 34 +/- 10%; p < 0.001); tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins were localized specifically to the mid-piece of the sperm. The profile of protein tyrosine phosphorylation was inhibitable by higher concentrations (> 0.5 mM) of tyrosine kinase inhibitor, tyrphostin A47. However, at lower (0.1-0.25 mM) concentrations, the compound interestingly induced early sperm capacitation and protein tyrosine phosphorylation, like PF. These results show that protein tyrosine phosphorylation in the mid-piece segment (mitochondrial sheath) appears to be an early and essential event during PF-induced capacitation and a regulated level of tyrosine phosphorylation of sperm proteins is critical for capacitation of hamster spermatozoa.