Voltage-dependent anion channel in mammalian spermatozoa
Bianjiang Liu1, Wei Zhang, Zengjun Wang
1Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China.
Abstract:
Voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC) is a multi-functional channel protein in the mitochondrial outer membrane of all eukaryotes. It is involved in extensive physiological and pathophysiological processes. However there is only scant information about VDAC in mammalian reproduction, fertility and development in the past. It is now recognized through recent studies that VDAC is present in male mammalian germinal tissues and cells, and plays crucial roles in spermatogenesis, sperm maturation and fertilization. This review will discuss the presence, localization and function of VDAC in mammalian spermatozoa.
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