NYD-SP27,a novel intrinsic decapacitation factor in sperm

Prior to fertilization sperm has to undergo an activation process known as capaciation,leading to the acrosome reaction.Till now,little is known about the mechanism for preventing premature capacitation in sperm although decapacitation factors from various sources have been thought to be involved.In this study,we report that NYD-SP27,an isoform of phospholipase C Zeta 1(PLCZ1),is localized to the sperm acrosome in mouse and human spermatozoa by immunofluorescence using a specific antibody.Western blot and double staining analyses show NYD-SP27 becomes detached from sperm,as they undergo capacitation and acrosome reaction.The absence of HCO_(3)^(-),a key factor in activating capacitation,from the capacitation-inducing medium prevents the loss of NYD-SP27 from sperm.The anti-NYD-SP27 antibody also prevents the loss of NYD-SP27 from sperm,reduced the number of capacitated sperm,inhibited the acrosome reaction induced by ATP and progesterone,and inhibited agonist-induced PLC-coupled Ca^(2+)mobilization in sperm,which can be mimicked by the PLC inhibitor,U73122.These data strongly suggest that NYD-SP27 is a physiological inhibitor of PLC that acts as an intrinsic decapacitation factor in sperm to prevent premature capacitation and acrosome reaction.

Critical Role of Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulation(CFTR)in Female Reproduction

Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is a cAMP-activated Cl- channel, mutations of which are responsible for defective Cl- and/or HCO-3 secretions seen in cystic fibrosis (CF), a common lethal genetic disease affecting most exocrine glands/organs, including the lungs, intestine, pancreas and reproductive tracts of both sexes. ……

Acrosome reaction in the cumulus oophorus revisited:involvement of a novel sperm-released factor NYD-SP8

Fertilization is a process involving multiple steps that lead to the final fusion of one sperm and the oocyte to form the zygote.One of the steps,acrosome reaction(AR),is an exocytosis process,during which the outer acrosome membrane fuses with the inner sperm membrane,leading to the release of acrosome enzymes that facilitate sperm penetration of the egg investments.Though AR has been investigated for decades,the initial steps of AR in vivo,however,remain largely unknown.A well elucidated model holds the view that AR occurs on the surface of the zona pellucida(ZP),which is triggered by binding of sperm with one of the ZP glycosylated protein,ZP3.However,this model fails to explain the large number of‘falsely’acrosome-reacted sperms found within the cumulus layer in many species examined.With the emerging evidence of cross-talk between sperm and cumulus cells,the potential significance of AR in the cumulus oophorus,the outer layer of the egg,has been gradually revealed.Here we review the acrosome status within the cumulus layer,the cross-talk between sperm and cumulus cells with the involvement of a novel spermreleased factor,NYD-SP8,and re-evaluate the importance and physiological significance of the AR in the cumulus in fertilization.

Magnesium implantation or supplementation ameliorates bone disorder in CFTR-mutant mice through an ATF4-dependent Wnt/β-catenin signaling

Magnesium metal and its alloys are being developed as effective orthopedic implants;however,the mechanisms underlying the actions of magnesium on bones remain unclear.Cystic fibrosis,the most common genetic disease in Caucasians caused by the mutation of CFTR,has shown bone disorder as a key clinical manifestation,which currently lacks effective therapeutic options.Here we report that implantation of magnesium-containing implant stimulates bone formation and improves bone fracture healing in CFTR-mutant mice.Wnt/β-catenin signaling in the bone is enhanced by the magnesium implant,and inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin by iCRT14 blocks the magnesium implant to improve fracture healing in CFTR-mutant mice.We further demonstrate that magnesium ion enters osteocytes,increases intracellular cAMP level and activates ATF4,a key transcription factor known to regulate Wnt/β-catenin signaling.In vivo knockdown of ATF4 abolishes the magnesium implant-activated β-catenin in bones and reverses the improved-fracture healing in CFTR-mutant mice.In addition,oral supplementation of magnesium activates ATF4 and β-catenin as well as enhances bone volume and density in CFTR-mutant mice.Together,these results show that magnesium implantation or supplementation may serve as a potential anabolic therapy for cystic fibrosis-related bone disease.Activation of ATF4-dependent Wnt/β-catenin signaling in osteocytes is identified as a previously undefined mechanism underlying the beneficial effect of magnesium on bone formation.