Premium
Peculiar subcellular localization of Fas antigen in human and mouse spermatozoa
Author(s) -
Starace Donatella,
Muciaccia Barbara,
Morgante Emanuela,
Russo Matteo A.,
Pensini Simona,
D'agostino Angela,
De Cesaris Paola,
Filippini Antonio,
Ziparo Elio,
Riccioli Anna
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
microscopy research and technique
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.536
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1097-0029
pISSN - 1059-910X
DOI - 10.1002/jemt.20700
Subject(s) - microbiology and biotechnology , immunoelectron microscopy , mitochondrion , flagellum , biology , sperm , immunofluorescence , western blot , fas ligand , acrosome , apoptosis , immunology , genetics , antibody , gene , programmed cell death
The highly polarized structure and function of mammalian spermatozoa dictate that these cells compartmentalize specific metabolic and signaling pathways to regions where they are needed. Fas was initially identified as membrane receptor for pro‐apoptotic signals, has been recently recognized as a molecule with pleiotropic functions. In this article, we provide evidence of a peculiar Fas localization: it is closely associated to the perinucleus, mainly at the level of the inner acrosomal membrane, as well as in the inner compartment of mitochondria. Immunoelectron microscopy and Western blot analysis indicated that intracellular Fas was associated with mitochondria in mouse epididymal spermatozoa. Accordingly, also in human ejaculated sperm, immunofluorescence analysis showed Fas localized in the middle piece of sperm flagellum where mitochondria are grouped. The potential functional implications of these findings are discussed. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.