TY - JOUR
T1 - Phospholipase C zeta and calcium oscillations at fertilisation
T2 - The evidence, applications, and further questions
AU - Kashir, Junaid
AU - Nomikos, Michail
AU - Lai, F. Anthony
N1 - Funding Information:
JK drafted the manuscript, which was revised and approved by MN and FAL. JK is supported by a Health Fellowship award from Health Care Research Wales (HCRW) ( HF 14 1 6) and an internal College of Medicine (Qatar University) grant and FAL by The UK Science & Innovation Network , and the British Council .
Publisher Copyright:
© 2017 Elsevier Ltd
PY - 2018/1
Y1 - 2018/1
N2 - Oocyte activation is a fundamental event at mammalian fertilisation, initiated by a series of characteristic calcium (Ca2+) oscillations in mammals. This characteristic pattern of Ca2+ release is induced in a species-specific manner by a sperm-specific enzyme termed phospholipase C zeta (PLCζ). Reduction or absence of functional PLCζ within sperm underlies male factor infertility in humans, due to mutational inactivation or abrogation of PLCζ protein expression. Underlying such clinical implications, a significant body of evidence has now been accumulated that has characterised the unique biochemical and biophysical properties of this enzyme, further aiding the unique clinical opportunities presented. Herein, we present and discuss evidence accrued over the past decade and a half that serves to support the identity of PLCζ as the mammalian sperm factor. Furthermore, we also discuss the potential novel avenues that have yet to be examined regarding PLCζ mechanism of action in both the oocyte, and the sperm. Finally, we discuss the advances that have been made regarding the clinical therapeutic and diagnostic applications of PLCζ in potentially treating male infertility as a result of oocyte activation deficiency (OAD), and also possibly more general cases of male subfertility.
AB - Oocyte activation is a fundamental event at mammalian fertilisation, initiated by a series of characteristic calcium (Ca2+) oscillations in mammals. This characteristic pattern of Ca2+ release is induced in a species-specific manner by a sperm-specific enzyme termed phospholipase C zeta (PLCζ). Reduction or absence of functional PLCζ within sperm underlies male factor infertility in humans, due to mutational inactivation or abrogation of PLCζ protein expression. Underlying such clinical implications, a significant body of evidence has now been accumulated that has characterised the unique biochemical and biophysical properties of this enzyme, further aiding the unique clinical opportunities presented. Herein, we present and discuss evidence accrued over the past decade and a half that serves to support the identity of PLCζ as the mammalian sperm factor. Furthermore, we also discuss the potential novel avenues that have yet to be examined regarding PLCζ mechanism of action in both the oocyte, and the sperm. Finally, we discuss the advances that have been made regarding the clinical therapeutic and diagnostic applications of PLCζ in potentially treating male infertility as a result of oocyte activation deficiency (OAD), and also possibly more general cases of male subfertility.
KW - Assisted reproductive technology
KW - Fertilisation
KW - Infertility
KW - Oocyte activation
KW - Phospholipase C zeta (PLCzeta)
KW - Sperm
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85032993065&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.jbior.2017.10.012
DO - 10.1016/j.jbior.2017.10.012
M3 - Review article
C2 - 29108881
AN - SCOPUS:85032993065
SN - 2212-4926
VL - 67
SP - 148
EP - 162
JO - Advances in Biological Regulation
JF - Advances in Biological Regulation
ER -