GC/cGMP信号转导途径在雄性生殖作用的研究进展

Roles of GC/cGMP Signal Transduction System in Male Reproduction

鸟苷酸环化酶(guanylate cyclases,GCs)通过催化细胞内第二信使环磷酸鸟苷(cyclic guanosine monophosphate,cGMP)的生成来转导信号;cGMP主要激活其下游效应分子cGMP依赖性蛋白激酶(PKG)、环核苷酸门控离子通道(CNG)和磷酸二酯酶(PDE),从而介导多种生物学效应。近年来大量研究证实,GC/cGMP信号转导体系与雄性生殖过程密切相关,多种介质通过此信号通路影响精子活力、获能和顶体反应,参与精子发生、运输、成熟及阴茎勃起等过程。

Guanylate cyclases （GCs） are important enzymes that signal via the production of the intracellular second messenger cyclic guanosine monophosphate （cGMP）. cGMP, mainly through activation of its downstream effectors cGMP-dependent protein kinases （PKG）, phosphodiesterases （PDE） and cyclic nucleotide-gated ion channels （CNG）, has been implicated in mediating a variety of physiological effects. In recent years, a large number of studies have demonstrated specific relevance of the GC/cGMP system in male reproductive processes because many substances can influence sperm motility, capacitation and acrosome reaction, and are involved in spermatogenesis, sperm transport, maturation and penile erection. This review will focus on the GC/cGMP signal transduction sys- tem and advances of its roles in the regulation of male reproductive processes.