尽管辅助生殖技术取得了进展,不孕症仍然是世界范围内一贯的健康问题.精子化是成熟的精子细胞与支持的支持细胞分离并释放到小管腔中的过程。精子衰竭导致缺乏成熟的精子,如果不是偶尔,会导致无精子症,男性不育的主要原因。精子细胞通过顶端外质特化(aES)分化为精子,一个特定的睾丸,基于肌动蛋白的锚定连接仅限于Sertoli-精子细胞界面。aES有助于精子细胞在生精上皮中的运动,促进精子定位,并防止未成熟精子的释放。为了实现其功能,ES需要进行严格和及时的管制重组。即使aES的组成部分是部分已知的,调节aES的机制仍然难以捉摸。在这次审查中,我们提出了一个小GTP酶Rap1可以调节aES组装/重塑的模型。AES动态中关键参与者的表征,如Rap1,可以为发展预后开辟新的可能性,诊断,以及正在接受不育症治疗的男性患者的治疗方法,这可能导致确定男性避孕的新目标。
Despite advances in assisted reproductive technologies, infertility remains a consistent health problem worldwide. Spermiation is the process through which mature
spermatids detach from the supporting Sertoli cells and are released into the tubule lumen. Spermiation failure leads to lack of mature spermatozoa and, if not occasional, could result into azoospermia, major cause of male infertility in human population.
Spermatids are led through their differentiation into spermatozoa by the apical ectoplasmic specialization (aES), a testis-specific, actin-based anchoring junction restricted to the Sertoli-spermatid interface. The aES helps spermatid movement across the seminiferous epithelium, promotes spermatid positioning, and prevents the release of immature spermatozoa. To accomplish its functions, aES needs to undergo tightly and timely regulated restructuring. Even if components of aES are partly known, the mechanism/s through which aES is regulated remains still elusive. In this review, we propose a model by which the small GTPase Rap1 could regulate aES assembly/remodelling. The characterization of key players in the dynamic of aES, such as Rap1, could open new possibility to develop prognostic, diagnostic, and therapeutic approaches for male patients under treatment for infertility as well as it could lead to the identification of new target for male contraception.