Aim: To perform screening, related to A-kinase anchoring proteins 4 (AKAP4) and tubulin proteins, in spermatozoa with absent or severely reduced motility in order to detect the status of the fibrous sheath and the ...Aim: To perform screening, related to A-kinase anchoring proteins 4 (AKAP4) and tubulin proteins, in spermatozoa with absent or severely reduced motility in order to detect the status of the fibrous sheath and the axonemal structure. Methods: An immunocytochemical study of tubulin, used as a positive control, and AKAP4 was carded out to detect the presence and the distribution of these proteins in different sperm samples. The morphological characteristics of sperm were studied by transmission electron microscope (TEM) and the results were elaborated using a formula reported in previous studies. PCR was carried out on DNA extracted from peripheral blood lymphocytes to analyse partial sequences of the Akap4 and Akap3 genes. Results: Immunolabelling of tubulin and AKAP4 showed different patterns, which led us to divide the patients into groups. In group I, the absence of AKAP4 and tubulin was revealed, although these patients did not show alterations in the Akap4/Akap3 binding site. TEM evaluation highlighted that a high presence of necrosis was associated with total sperm immotility. In group Ⅱ, a regular AKAP4 and tubulin signal was present, although motility was reduced and TEM analysis revealed the presence of immaturity. In group Ⅲ, in which a weak AKAP4 label associated with normal tubulin staining and reduced motility was observed, a severe disorganization of the fibrous sheath was highlighted by TEM. Conclusion: While the role of AKAP4 in sperm motility is unclear, absent or weak AKAP4-1abelling seems to be associated with absent or weak sperm motility.展开更多
低氧是大多数实体肿瘤的一个重要特征。它可以导致肿瘤向恶性方向发展,使肿瘤细胞具有更强的侵袭和转移能力,并对化学治疗和放射治疗产生抵抗。在这个过程之中,以低氧诱导因子(Hypoxia-inducible factors,HIFs)为代表的一系列低氧诱导...低氧是大多数实体肿瘤的一个重要特征。它可以导致肿瘤向恶性方向发展,使肿瘤细胞具有更强的侵袭和转移能力,并对化学治疗和放射治疗产生抵抗。在这个过程之中,以低氧诱导因子(Hypoxia-inducible factors,HIFs)为代表的一系列低氧诱导蛋白起主要调控作用,它们通过影响下游多种信号通路调节肿瘤细胞增殖、迁移、侵袭、血管生成、免疫应答、放/化疗抗性来促进或抑制肿瘤发生发展。随着对低氧诱导蛋白的深入研究,发现尽管大多数情况下低氧会促进肿瘤发生发展,但同时也存在着一小部分低氧诱导蛋白具有抑制肿瘤进展的作用。因此,对低氧诱导蛋白的研究在抗肿瘤药物开发以及肿瘤治疗方法的选择上具有重要意义。文章对HIFs以及两种新发现的低氧诱导蛋白—孕酮诱导的蜕膜蛋白(Decidual protein induced by progesterone,DEPP)和蛋白激酶A锚定蛋白(A-kinase anchor protein 4,AKAP4)在肿瘤发展和治疗中的功能加以整理总结,希望能够推动以低氧蛋白为靶点的抗肿瘤治疗在临床的应用。展开更多
文摘Aim: To perform screening, related to A-kinase anchoring proteins 4 (AKAP4) and tubulin proteins, in spermatozoa with absent or severely reduced motility in order to detect the status of the fibrous sheath and the axonemal structure. Methods: An immunocytochemical study of tubulin, used as a positive control, and AKAP4 was carded out to detect the presence and the distribution of these proteins in different sperm samples. The morphological characteristics of sperm were studied by transmission electron microscope (TEM) and the results were elaborated using a formula reported in previous studies. PCR was carried out on DNA extracted from peripheral blood lymphocytes to analyse partial sequences of the Akap4 and Akap3 genes. Results: Immunolabelling of tubulin and AKAP4 showed different patterns, which led us to divide the patients into groups. In group I, the absence of AKAP4 and tubulin was revealed, although these patients did not show alterations in the Akap4/Akap3 binding site. TEM evaluation highlighted that a high presence of necrosis was associated with total sperm immotility. In group Ⅱ, a regular AKAP4 and tubulin signal was present, although motility was reduced and TEM analysis revealed the presence of immaturity. In group Ⅲ, in which a weak AKAP4 label associated with normal tubulin staining and reduced motility was observed, a severe disorganization of the fibrous sheath was highlighted by TEM. Conclusion: While the role of AKAP4 in sperm motility is unclear, absent or weak AKAP4-1abelling seems to be associated with absent or weak sperm motility.
文摘低氧是大多数实体肿瘤的一个重要特征。它可以导致肿瘤向恶性方向发展,使肿瘤细胞具有更强的侵袭和转移能力,并对化学治疗和放射治疗产生抵抗。在这个过程之中,以低氧诱导因子(Hypoxia-inducible factors,HIFs)为代表的一系列低氧诱导蛋白起主要调控作用,它们通过影响下游多种信号通路调节肿瘤细胞增殖、迁移、侵袭、血管生成、免疫应答、放/化疗抗性来促进或抑制肿瘤发生发展。随着对低氧诱导蛋白的深入研究,发现尽管大多数情况下低氧会促进肿瘤发生发展,但同时也存在着一小部分低氧诱导蛋白具有抑制肿瘤进展的作用。因此,对低氧诱导蛋白的研究在抗肿瘤药物开发以及肿瘤治疗方法的选择上具有重要意义。文章对HIFs以及两种新发现的低氧诱导蛋白—孕酮诱导的蜕膜蛋白(Decidual protein induced by progesterone,DEPP)和蛋白激酶A锚定蛋白(A-kinase anchor protein 4,AKAP4)在肿瘤发展和治疗中的功能加以整理总结,希望能够推动以低氧蛋白为靶点的抗肿瘤治疗在临床的应用。