Localization of sphingosine kinase-1 in mouse sperm acrosomes

J Histochem Cytochem. 2005 Feb;53(2):243-7. doi: 10.1369/jhc.4B6507.2005.

Abstract

Sphingosine kinase (SPHK) catalyzes sphingosine phosphorylation to form a bioactive lipid mediator, sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P). In the current study, we report the presence of SPHK-1 in mouse spermatozoa. SPHK-1 was localized to the acrosomes of spermatozoa, and its expression was proven by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. SPHK activity of mouse spermatozoa was 18.1 pmol/min/mg protein. Furthermore, we identified the presence of the S1P receptors S1P1, S1P2, S1P3, and S1P5, in mouse spermatozoa by RT-PCR. These results suggest that S1P produced by SPHK-1 would play a role in the acrosomal reaction through S1P receptors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acrosome / enzymology*
  • Animals
  • Blotting, Western
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Phosphotransferases (Alcohol Group Acceptor) / metabolism*
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

Substances

  • Phosphotransferases (Alcohol Group Acceptor)
  • sphingosine kinase