Open AccessThe involvement of immunoglobulin superfamily proteins in spermatogenesis and sperm–egg interaction
Author(s) -
TOSHIMORI KIYOTATA,
MAEKAWA MAMIKO,
ITO CHIZURU,
TOYAMA YOSHIRO,
SUZUKITOYOTA FUMIE,
SAXENA DINESH K.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
reproductive medicine and biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.005
H-Index - 22
eISSN - 1447-0578
pISSN - 1445-5781
DOI - 10.1111/j.1447-0578.2006.00129.x
Subject(s) - immunoglobulin superfamily , capacitation , microbiology and biotechnology , sertoli cell , sperm , biology , germ cell , spermatogenesis , immunoglobulin domain , acrosome reaction , acrosome , antibody , immunology , genetics , endocrinology , cell adhesion molecule , gene
The immunoglobulin superfamily (IgSF) proteins are expressed on the plasma membrane between Sertoli cells and germ cells in the testis. IgSF proteins are specifically present at the apical Sertoli‐germ cell junction, that is, ectoplasmic specialization and are involved in germ cell differentiation. Some IgSF proteins are present on the surface of germ cells and undergo further biochemical modifications during sperm maturation. These IgSF proteins undergo final modifications during capacitation and/or the acrosome reaction. The function and expression of IgSF proteins in the testis and spermatozoa, as they relate to spermatogenesis and sperm–egg interaction, are discussed. (Reprod Med Biol 2006; 5 : 87–93)