Phospholipase C and reproduction.
- Author:
Aihua GU
1
;
Zuomin ZHOU
;
Jiahao SHA
Author Information
1. Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China.
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH:
Acrosome Reaction;
Animals;
Calcium Signaling;
Humans;
Reproduction;
physiology;
Signal Transduction;
Type C Phospholipases;
chemistry;
physiology
- From:
National Journal of Andrology
2004;10(7):538-542
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Phospholipase C (PLC) is a key enzyme in phosphatidyl inositol turnover during signal transduction. The 12 mammalian PLC isozymes identified to date can be divided into five subtypes, beta-type, gamma-type, delta-type, epsilon-type and zeta-type, with extensive difference in structure, regulatory mechanism and tissue distribution. PLC plays important roles not only in sperm acrosome reaction but also in egg activation. The present studies are reviewed on the structure, regulation and function of PLC, especially its function in male reproduction, including triggering Ca2+ oscillations in eggs to activate the eggs and helping embryo development. And the prospect of the clinical application of PLC is discussed.
