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Sperm PLCζ: From structure to Ca 2+ oscillations, egg activation and therapeutic potential
Author(s) -
Nomikos Michail,
Kashir Junaid,
Swann Karl,
Lai F. Anthony
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1016/j.febslet.2013.10.008
Subject(s) - phospholipase c , oocyte activation , capacitation , intracellular , gamete , microbiology and biotechnology , phosphatidylinositol , cytosol , biology , substrate (aquarium) , sperm , second messenger system , phospholipase , enzyme , chemistry , biochemistry , biophysics , oocyte , signal transduction , genetics , motility , embryo , ecology
Significant evidence now supports the assertion that cytosolic calcium oscillations during fertilization in mammalian eggs are mediated by a testis‐specific phospholipase C (PLC), termed PLC‐zeta (PLCζ) that is released into the egg following gamete fusion. Herein, we describe the current paradigm of PLCζ in this fundamental biological process, summarizing recent important advances in our knowledge of the biochemical and physiological properties of this enzyme. We describe the data suggesting that PLCζ has distinct features amongst PLCs enabling the hydrolysis of its substrate, phosphatidylinositol 4,5‐bisphosphate (PIP 2 ) at low Ca 2+ levels. PLCζ appears to be unique in its ability to target PIP 2 that is present on intracellular vesicles. We also discuss evidence that PLCζ may be a significant factor in human fertility with potential therapeutic capacity.