Heat Shock Protein A2 (HSPA2): Regulatory Roles in Germ Cell Development and Sperm Function. 2017

Brett Nixon, and Elizabeth G Bromfield, and Jinwei Cui, and Geoffry N De Iuliis
Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia. Brett.Nixon@newcastle.edu.au.

Among the numerous families of heat shock protein (HSP) that have been implicated in the regulation of reproductive system development and function, those belonging to the 70 kDa HSP family have emerged as being indispensable for male fertility. In particular, the testis-enriched heat shock 70 kDa protein 2 (HSPA2) has been shown to be critical for the progression of germ cell differentiation during spermatogenesis in the mouse model. Beyond this developmentally important window, mounting evidence has also implicated HSPA2 in the functional transformation of the human sperm cell during their ascent of the female reproductive tract. Specifically, HSPA2 appears to coordinate the remodelling of specialised sperm domains overlying the anterior region of the sperm head compatible with their principle role in oocyte recognition. The fact that levels of the HSPA2 protein in mature spermatozoa tightly correlate with the efficacy of oocyte binding highlight its utility as a powerful prognostic biomarker of male fertility. In this chapter, we consider the unique structural and biochemical characteristics of HSPA2 that enable this heat shock protein to fulfil its prominent roles in orchestrating the morphological differentiation of male germ cells during spermatogenesis as well as their functional transformation during post-testicular sperm maturation.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D009865 Oocytes Female germ cells derived from OOGONIA and termed OOCYTES when they enter MEIOSIS. The primary oocytes begin meiosis but are arrested at the diplotene state until OVULATION at PUBERTY to give rise to haploid secondary oocytes or ova (OVUM). Ovocytes,Oocyte,Ovocyte
D002454 Cell Differentiation Progressive restriction of the developmental potential and increasing specialization of function that leads to the formation of specialized cells, tissues, and organs. Differentiation, Cell,Cell Differentiations,Differentiations, Cell
D005260 Female Females
D005854 Germ Cells The reproductive cells in multicellular organisms at various stages during GAMETOGENESIS. Gamete,Gametes,Germ-Line Cells,Germ Line,Cell, Germ,Cell, Germ-Line,Cells, Germ,Cells, Germ-Line,Germ Cell,Germ Line Cells,Germ Lines,Germ-Line Cell
D006360 Heat-Shock Proteins Proteins which are synthesized in eukaryotic organisms and bacteria in response to hyperthermia and other environmental stresses. They increase thermal tolerance and perform functions essential to cell survival under these conditions. Stress Protein,Stress Proteins,Heat-Shock Protein,Heat Shock Protein,Heat Shock Proteins,Protein, Stress
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D013084 Sperm-Ovum Interactions Interactive processes between the oocyte (OVUM) and the sperm (SPERMATOZOA) including sperm adhesion, ACROSOME REACTION, sperm penetration of the ZONA PELLUCIDA, and events leading to FERTILIZATION. Ovum-Sperm Interactions,Sperm Penetration,Egg-Sperm Interactions,Gamete Interactions,Oocyte-Sperm Interactions,Sperm-Egg Interactions,Sperm-Egg Penetration,Sperm-Oocyte Interactions,Sperm-Oocyte Penetration,Sperm-Ovum Penetration,Sperm-Zona Pellucida Penetration,Egg Sperm Interactions,Egg-Sperm Interaction,Gamete Interaction,Oocyte Sperm Interactions,Oocyte-Sperm Interaction,Ovum Sperm Interactions,Ovum-Sperm Interaction,Sperm Egg Interactions,Sperm Egg Penetration,Sperm Oocyte Interactions,Sperm Oocyte Penetration,Sperm Ovum Interactions,Sperm Ovum Penetration,Sperm Penetrations,Sperm Zona Pellucida Penetration,Sperm-Egg Interaction,Sperm-Egg Penetrations,Sperm-Oocyte Interaction,Sperm-Oocyte Penetrations,Sperm-Ovum Interaction,Sperm-Ovum Penetrations,Sperm-Zona Pellucida Penetrations
D013091 Spermatogenesis The process of germ cell development in the male from the primordial germ cells, through SPERMATOGONIA; SPERMATOCYTES; SPERMATIDS; to the mature haploid SPERMATOZOA. Spermatocytogenesis,Spermiogenesis

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