Bcl-2蛋白家族与生殖细胞

Bcl-2 protein family and germ cells

自1985年发现Bcl-2基因至现在,对于Bcl-2蛋白及相关蛋白在凋亡中的调节功能研究取得了重大的进展。无论胚胎时期或出生后,哺乳动物的许多组织细胞都会出现凋亡,其中哺乳动物的性腺随生殖细胞的生长发育成熟,精原细胞和精母细胞是发生凋亡比率高的两个阶段。了解生殖细胞凋亡的出现以及调节机制,对于生物学及临床方面都有重大意义。该综述集中介绍Bcl-2蛋白家族在调节两性生殖细胞凋亡中的作用。

Since being cloned in 1985, great progress has been made in elucidating the apoptosis-controlling function of Bcl-2 protein and its related proteins. Either in embryonic period or postnatal periods, many tissues of mammals exhibit apoptosis, the female and male gonads have a higher rate of apoptosis than other body cells, with development and maturation of the germ cells. Accordingly, efforts to understand occurrence and regulation of apoptosis of oocytes and sperms are of significant importance for both biological and clinical perspectives. This review focused on apoptosis in the female and male germ cells, and the roles of Bcl-2 protein family members in regulating this process.