New insights to the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway (UPP) mechanism during spermatogenesis

Mol Biol Rep. 2013 Apr;40(4):3213-30. doi: 10.1007/s11033-012-2397-y. Epub 2012 Dec 26.

Abstract

Spermatogenesis is a complicated and highly ordered process which begins with the differentiation of spermatogonial stem cells and ends with the formation of mature sperm. After meiosis, several morphological changes occur during spermatogenesis. During spermatogenesis, many proteins and organelles are degraded, and the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway (UPP) plays a key role in the process which facilitates the formation of condensed sperm. UPP contains various indispensable components: ubiquitin, ubiquitin-activating enzyme E1, ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2, ubiquitin ligase enzyme E3 and proteasomes. At some key stages of spermatogenesis, such as meiosis, acrosome biogenesis, and spermatozoa maturation, the ubiquitin-related components (including deubiquitination enzymes) exert positive and active functions. Generally speaking, deficient UPP will block spermatogenesis which may induce infertility at various degrees. Although ubiquitination during spermatogenesis has been widely investigated, further detailed aspects such as the mechanism of ubiquitination during the formation of midpiece and acrosome morphogenesis still remains unknown. The present review will overview current progress on ubiquitination during spermatogenesis, and will provide some suggestions for future studies on the functions of UPP components during spermatogenesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cell Differentiation / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Meiosis
  • Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex / genetics*
  • Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex / metabolism
  • Spermatogenesis / genetics*
  • Spermatozoa / growth & development
  • Ubiquitin / genetics*
  • Ubiquitin / metabolism
  • Ubiquitin-Activating Enzymes / genetics
  • Ubiquitin-Activating Enzymes / metabolism
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / genetics

Substances

  • Ubiquitin
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases
  • Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex
  • Ubiquitin-Activating Enzymes