The world's first wiki where authorship really matters (Nature Genetics, 2008). Due credit and reputation for authors. Imagine a global collaborative knowledge base for original thoughts. Search thousands of articles and collaborate with scientists around the globe.

wikigene or wiki gene protein drug chemical gene disease author authorship tracking collaborative publishing evolutionary knowledge reputation system wiki2.0 global collaboration genes proteins drugs chemicals diseases compound
Hoffmann, R. A wiki for the life sciences where authorship matters. Nature Genetics (2008)
 
 
 

Particulate adenylate cyclase plays a key role in human sperm olfactory receptor-mediated chemotaxis.

Human sperm chemotaxis is a critical component of the fertilization process, but the molecular basis for this behavior remains unclear. Recent evidence shows that chemotactic responses depend on activation of the sperm olfactory receptor, hOR17-4. Certain floral scents, including bourgeonal, activate hOR17-4, trigger pronounced Ca(2+) fluxes, and evoke chemotaxis. Here, we provide evidence that hOR17-4 activation is coupled to a cAMP-mediated signaling cascade. Multidimensional protein identification technology was used to identify potential components of a G-protein-coupled cAMP transduction pathway in human sperm. These products included various membrane-associated adenylate cyclase (mAC) isoforms and the G(olf)-subunit. Using immunocytochemistry, specific mAC isoforms were localized to particular cell regions. Whereas mAC III occurred in the sperm head and midpiece, mAC VIII was distributed predominantly in the flagellum. In contrast, G(olf) was found mostly in the flagellum and midpiece. The observed spatial distribution patterns largely correspond to the spatiotemporal character of hOR17-4-induced Ca(2+) changes. Behavioral and Ca(2+) signaling responses of human sperm to bourgeonal were bioassayed in the presence, or absence, of the adenylate cyclase antagonist SQ22536. This specific agent inhibits particulate AC, but not soluble AC, activation. Upon incubation with SQ22536, cells ceased to exhibit Ca(2+) signaling, chemotaxis, and hyperactivation (faster swim speed and flagellar beat rate) in response to bourgeonal. Particulate AC is therefore required for induction of hOR17-4-mediated human sperm behavior and represents a promising target for future design of contraceptive drugs.[1]

References

  1. Particulate adenylate cyclase plays a key role in human sperm olfactory receptor-mediated chemotaxis. Spehr, M., Schwane, K., Riffell, J.A., Barbour, J., Zimmer, R.K., Neuhaus, E.M., Hatt, H. J. Biol. Chem. (2004) [Pubmed]
 
WikiGenes - Universities