• PMID: 8495779
• Gene Name: PRKCA
• Condition: Involved in regulation of human sperm capacitation
• Association: Associated
• Sex: Male
• Infertility type: Male infertility
• Other associated phenotypes: Involved in regulation of human sperm capacitation

Effects of modulators of protein kinase C on human sperm capacitation

Furuya S, Endo Y, Osumi K, Oba M, Suzuki S.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of stimulators or inhibitors of protein kinase C on capacitation and protein phosphorylation in human sperm. DESIGN: Capacitated sperm treated with or without modulators of protein kinase C were monitored by the chlortetracycline fluorescence assay. Capacitation was confirmed by the ability of sperm to undergo the acrosomal reaction in response to mouse zonae pellucidae. 32P-labeled sperm phosphoproteins were analyzed by one-dimensional gel electrophoresis to detect the effect of protein kinase C stimulator, 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate, on protein phosphorylation. RESULTS: The treatment of sperm with protein kinase C stimulators resulted in the following: [1] the rapid appearance of the clear perimeter pattern, featuring distribution of fluorescence over the entire head exhibiting a bright perimeter and bright midpiece; [2] an accelerated ability to undergo the acrosomal reaction; and [3] an enhanced phosphorylation of 57.5-kd sperm phosphoprotein. Furthermore, these stimulatory effects were inhibited by protein kinase C inhibitors. CONCLUSION: Protein phosphorylation mediated by protein kinase C may be involved in the regulation of human sperm capacitation. FAU - Furuya, S AU - Furuya S AD - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan. FAU - Endo, Y AU - Endo Y FAU - Osumi, K AU - Osumi K FAU - Oba, M AU - Oba M