Characterising novel signalling molecules important for sperm fertilization

哺乳动物精子中的分子必须在与卵子相遇之前进行重组，才能受精。这种重组是由精子收到的信号开始的，这些信号导致精子改变其细胞膜和内部反应。信号的确切性质尚不清楚(S)，这使得保护生育能力较差的男性的受精能力或保存精子用于人工授精变得困难。一种名为Na/K-ATPase的分子是众所周知的一种酶，它能将离子移动到包括精子在内的许多细胞类型的膜上。我们最近证实，Na/K-ATPase是一种类似激素受体的信号分子，它的激素最近在肌肉细胞中被鉴定为类固醇哇巴因。我们建议确定哇巴因信号是如何被精子接收和作用的；它在受精之前的膜变化中扮演什么角色，以及如何操纵它周围的分子在其直接的膜环境中更好地保护和促进受精。

The molecules in mammalian sperm must reorganise just prior to meeting the egg, in order to fertilise. This reorganisation is started by signals that the sperm receives which cause the sperm to change its membrane and change its internal reactions. The exact nature of the signal(s) is unknown, making it difficult to either protect fertilising ability in males with poor fertility or to preserve sperm for artificial insemination. One molecule called Na/K-ATPase is well known as an enzyme that moves ions across the membranes of many cell types, including sperm. We have recently proven that Na/K-ATPase is a signalling molecule like a hormone receptor, and its hormone has recently been identified, in muscle cells, as the steroid ouabain. We propose to determine how ouabain's signal is received and acted upon by sperm; what its role is in membrane changes that preceded fertilisation, and how the molecules surrounding it in its immediate membrane environment can be manipulated to better protect and promote fertilisation.