MAIN PURPOSE AND RESEARCH QUESTION: To determine whether the true fusogen Syncytin-1 and its receptor (ASCT-2) is present in human gametes using qRT-PCR, immunoblotting and immunofluorescence. METHODS: Donated oocytes and spermatozoa, originating from a fertility center in tertiary referral university hospital, underwent qRT-PCR, immunoblotting and immunofluorescence analyzes. RESULTS: Quantitative RT-PCR of sperm samples from sperm donors showed that syncytin-1 is present in all samples, however, protein levels varied between donors. Syncytin-1 immunoreactivity predominates in the sperm head and around the equatorial segment. The receptor ASCT-2 is expressed in the acrosomal region and in the sperm tail. Moreover, ASCT-2, but not syncytin-1, is expressed in oocytes and the mRNA level increases with increasing maturity of the oocytes. CONCLUSIONS: Syncytin and its receptor are present in human gametes and localization and temporal appearance is consistent with a possible role in fusion between oocyte and sperm.
MAIN PURPOSE AND RESEARCH QUESTION: To determine whether the true fusogen Syncytin-1 and its receptor (ASCT-2) is present in human gametes using qRT-PCR, immunoblotting and immunofluorescence. METHODS: Donated oocytes and spermatozoa, originating from a fertility center in tertiary referral university hospital, underwent qRT-PCR, immunoblotting and immunofluorescence analyzes. RESULTS: Quantitative RT-PCR of sperm samples from sperm donors showed that syncytin-1 is present in all samples, however, protein levels varied between donors. Syncytin-1 immunoreactivity predominates in the sperm head and around the equatorial segment. The receptor ASCT-2 is expressed in the acrosomal region and in the sperm tail. Moreover, ASCT-2, but not syncytin-1, is expressed in oocytes and the mRNA level increases with increasing maturity of the oocytes. CONCLUSIONS: Syncytin and its receptor are present in human gametes and localization and temporal appearance is consistent with a possible role in fusion between oocyte and sperm.
Authors: Eric Rubinstein; Ahmed Ziyyat; Michel Prenant; Edyta Wrobel; Jean-Philippe Wolf; Shoshana Levy; François Le Naour; Claude Boucheix Journal: Dev Biol Date: 2005-12-27 Impact factor: 3.582
Authors: Eric Rubinstein; Ahmed Ziyyat; Jean-Philippe Wolf; François Le Naour; Claude Boucheix Journal: Semin Cell Dev Biol Date: 2006-03-02 Impact factor: 7.727
Authors: Mónica Gordón-Alonso; María Yañez-Mó; Olga Barreiro; Susana Alvarez; M Angeles Muñoz-Fernández; Agustín Valenzuela-Fernández; Francisco Sánchez-Madrid Journal: J Immunol Date: 2006-10-15 Impact factor: 5.422
Authors: Reiner Strick; Sven Ackermann; Manuela Langbein; Justine Swiatek; Steffen W Schubert; Said Hashemolhosseini; Thomas Koscheck; Peter A Fasching; Ralf L Schild; Matthias W Beckmann; Pamela L Strissel Journal: J Mol Med (Berl) Date: 2006-10-26 Impact factor: 4.599
Authors: S Mi; X Lee; X Li; G M Veldman; H Finnerty; L Racie; E LaVallie; X Y Tang; P Edouard; S Howes; J C Keith; J M McCoy Journal: Nature Date: 2000-02-17 Impact factor: 49.962