Dephosphorylated NSSR1 is induced by androgen in mouse epididymis and phosphorylated NSSR1 is increased during sperm maturation

PLoS One. 2011;6(9):e25667. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0025667. Epub 2011 Sep 29.

Abstract

NSSR1 (Neural salient serine/arginine rich protein 1, alternatively SRp38) is a newly identified RNA splicing factor and predominantly expressed in neural tissues. Here, by Western blot analysis and immunofluorescent staining, we showed that the expression of dephosphorylated NSSR1 increased significantly during development of the caput epididymis. In adult mice, phosphorylated NSSR1 was mainly expressed in the apical side of epithelial cells, and dephosphorylated NSSR1 in caput epididymis was upregulated in a testosterone dependent manner. In addition, subcellular immunoreactive distribution of NSSR1 varied in different regions of the epididymis. With respect to the sperm, phosphorylated NSSR1 was detected in the mid-piece of the tail as well as the acrosome. Furthermore, NSSR1 was released from the sperm head during the capacitation and acrosome reaction. These findings for the first time provide the evidence for the potential roles of NSSR1 in sperm maturation and fertilization.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acrosome / drug effects
  • Acrosome / metabolism
  • Androgens / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / metabolism*
  • Epididymis / cytology
  • Epididymis / drug effects*
  • Epididymis / metabolism*
  • Epithelium / drug effects
  • Epithelium / metabolism
  • Estradiol / pharmacology
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Intracellular Space / drug effects
  • Intracellular Space / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Neoplasm Proteins / metabolism*
  • Phosphorylation / drug effects
  • Protein Transport / drug effects
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Repressor Proteins / metabolism*
  • Sperm Maturation / drug effects*

Substances

  • Androgens
  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • Fusip1 protein, mouse
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • Repressor Proteins
  • Estradiol