Localization and Characterization of Phosphatidylcholine in Sea Urchin Spermatozoa

Sea urchin spermatozoa obtain energy for movement through oxidation of endogenous phospholipids, particularly phosphatidylcholine (PC). This study was undertaken to determine the localization of PC available for utilization in energy metabolism in spermatozoa of the sea urchin, Hemicentrotus pulcher...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of biochemistry (Tokyo) 1991-02, Vol.109 (2), p.238-242
Main Authors: Mita, Masatoshi, Harumi, Tatsuo, Suzuki, Norio, Ueta, Nobuo
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
animal metabolism
Animals
biochemical analysis
Biological and medical sciences
Cell metabolism, cell oxidation
Cell physiology
Chromatography, Gas
content
Electron Transport Complex IV - metabolism
Energy Metabolism
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus
Male
Marine
Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
Molecular and cellular biology
Phosphatidylcholines - metabolism
Phospholipases A - metabolism
Phospholipases A2
Sea Urchins
Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase - metabolism
sperm
Spermatozoa - enzymology
Spermatozoa - metabolism
Spermatozoa - ultrastructure
Substrate Specificity
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Summary:Sea urchin spermatozoa obtain energy for movement through oxidation of endogenous phospholipids, particularly phosphatidylcholine (PC). This study was undertaken to determine the localization of PC available for utilization in energy metabolism in spermatozoa of the sea urchin, Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus. Following incubation with sea water, the PC content in sperm heads decreased significantly, while that in sperm tails did not change. PC was abundant in sperm heads, particularly the midpieces. PC composed of unsaturated fatty acids was consumed to a greater extent during incubation than that consisting of saturated fatty acids. Analysis by gas-liquid chromatography indicated most of fatty acid moieties in the midpieces PC to be unsaturated. Phospholipase A2 activity was also distributed in sperm heads, particularly the midpieces. It thus appears that PC as a substrate for energy metabolism is located in the midpieces of sea urchin spermatozoa.
ISSN:0021-924X
1756-2651
DOI:10.1093/oxfordjournals.jbchem.a123368