Proteomic changes in mammalian spermatozoa during epididymal maturation

R Aitken, Brett Nixon, Minjie Lin, Adam Koppers, Yun Lee, Mark Baker

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

159 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Epididymal maturation is associated with the activation of a cAMP-induced tyrosine phosphorylation cascade, which is ultimately associated with the expression of capacitation-dependent sperm functions, such as hyperactivated movement and acrosomal exocytosis. As spermatozoa progress through the epididymis they first acquire the capacity to phosphorylate tyrosine on targets on the principal piece, followed by the midpiece. By the time these cells have reached the cauda epididymidis they can phosphorylate the entire tail from neck to endpiece. This particular pattern of phosphorylation is associated with the ontogeny of fully functional spermatozoa that are capable of fertilizing the oocyte. Proteomic analyses indicate that this change is associated with the phosphorylation of several mitochondrial proteins, creation of a mitochondrial membrane potential and activation of mitochondrial free radical generation. At least in rodent species, activation of sperm mitochondria appears to be a particularly important part of epididymal maturation.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)554 - 564
Number of pages11
JournalAsian Journal of Andrology
Volume9
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2007
Externally publishedYes

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