102. CHARACTERISATION OF THE GTPase DYNAMIN THROUGHOUT MURINE SPERM MATURATION
A. T. Reid A , S. D. Roman A B , R. Aitken A B and B. Nixon AA Reproductive Science Group, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.
B ARC Centre of Excellence in Biotechnology and Development, School of Environment, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.
Reproduction, Fertility and Development 22(9) 20-20 https://doi.org/10.1071/SRB10Abs102
Published: 6 September 2010
Abstract
Throughout sperm maturation distinct remodelling events occur that imbue the cells with both the ability to bind the zona pellucida and undergo the acrosome reaction. Of long standing interest to our laboratory is the elucidation of the molecular mechanisms that underpin the attainment of these key functional attributes. This process begins with a complex range of morphological changes that accompany spermatogenesis, and is continued through post-testicular phases of maturation in both the male (epididymal maturation) and female (capacitation) reproductive tracts. However, among these changes only those occurring during the initial stages of spermatogenesis are intrinsically driven. The fact that the majority of sperm remodelling is extrinsically stimulated, and occurs in the absence of new protein synthesis, highlights the potential importance of processes such as intracellular protein trafficking. This has directed our focus towards the dynamin family of protein traffickers. The GTPase dynamin exists in three isoforms, namely Dnm1, Dnm2 and Dnm3 and is an integral part of the molecular machinery required for vesicle mediated protein translocation. Recent research from our laboratory has demonstrated the presence of these three isoforms in distinct, cell-specific locations during murine spermatogenesis. Immunofluorescence on mouse testis revealed that both Dnm1 and 2 are present within a region corresponding to the developing acrosome in maturing sperm, whilst Dnm3 appears to reside solely within pre-meiotic germ cells. Interestingly, Dnm1 and Dnm2 are both retained within the peri-acrosomal region of the sperm head in mature spermatozoa. Additionally, upon the induction of capacitation in vitro, staining for both Dnm1 and 2 becomes significantly reduced. Collectively these data support the novel hypothesis that dynamin not only participates in sperm remodelling events during spermatogenesis but may also have a previously unappreciated role in capacitation-associated priming of the sperm surface for interaction with the oocyte.
