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Role of Posttranslational Protein Modifications in Epididymal Sperm Maturation and Extracellular Quality Control

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Posttranslational Protein Modifications in the Reproductive System

Part of the book series: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology ((AEMB,volume 759))

Abstract

The epididymal lumen is a complex microenvironment in which spermatozoa acquire motility and fertility. Spermatozoa are synthetically inactive and therefore the maturation process requires their interaction with proteins that are synthesized and secreted in a highly regionalized manner by the epididymal epithelium. In addition to the integration of epididymal secretory proteins, posttranslational modifications of existing sperm proteins are important for sperm maturation and acquisition of fertilizing potential. Phosphorylation, glycosylation, and processing are several of the posttranslational modifications that sperm proteins undergo during epididymal transit resulting in changes in protein function and localization ultimately leading to mature spermatozoa. In addition to these well-characterized modifications, protein aggregation and cross-linking also occur within the epididymal lumen and may represent unique mechanisms for controlling protein function including that for maturation as well as for extracellular quality control.

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  1. Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, 3601 4th Street, Lubbock, TX, 79430, USA

    Gail A. Cornwall

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  1. Division of Animal Sciences, and Departments of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA

    Peter Sutovsky

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Cornwall, G.A. (2014). Role of Posttranslational Protein Modifications in Epididymal Sperm Maturation and Extracellular Quality Control. In: Sutovsky, P. (eds) Posttranslational Protein Modifications in the Reproductive System. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 759. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-0817-2_8

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