An Overview of the proacrosin/acrosin system in human spermatozoa

Authors

  • Mónica H. Vazquez-Levin
  • Laura I. Furlong
  • Carolina M. Veaute
  • P. Daniel Ghiringhelli

Abstract

Among all of the sperm acrosomal trypsin-like proteinases studied, acrosin (EC 3.4.21.10) has been identified in all of the species evaluated and has been associated with human sperm fertility potential. In this report, a brief overview of cellular, biochemical, and molecular aspects related to the human proacrosin/acrosin system, has been compiled from studies performed by our research team, as well as contributions by numerous groups from the clinical and basic field of reproductive biology. As a result of these studies, a putative model for the interaction between the proacrosin/acrosin system and the zona pellucida glycoproteins, in association with proenzyme activation and proteinase activity, is presented.

Published

2007-12-27