Expression of mammalian spermatozoal nucleoproteins.

A dramatic remodeling of sperm chromatin occurs during mammalian spermiogenesis. Nuclear elongation and chromatin condensation are concomitant with modifications in the basic protein complement associated with DNA. A number of biochemical events accompany the displacement of histones and the appearance of protamines in elongating spermatids. The mRNAs of transition proteins and protamines are transcribed and stored in the cytoplasm of spermatids until days later when they are translated. The intrinsic regulation of the expression of the transition protein and protamine genes occurs at three levels: transcription, translation, and posttranslation. The aim of this review is to cover most of the morphological, biochemical, and functional events which concern nuclear protein transitions during spermiogenesis and which are thereby involved in the nuclear status of ejaculated sperm cells. Copyright 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.