G-proteins in mammalian gametes: an immunocytochemical study

The presence of transductory GTP(G)-regulatory proteins in mammalian gametes has been examined by indirect fluorescence immunocytochemistry. Using rabbit antisera to bovine rod beta gamma-transducin (RA beta gamma T), bovine rod holotransducin (AS-1), bovine rod alpha-transducin (RA alpha T), synthetic bovine rod alpha-transducin C-terminal decapeptide (AS-6), bovine brain alpha 39Go (RA alpha 39), and two mouse monoclonal antibodies raised against frog retinal transducin (4A), and rat brain beta-tubulin, we demonstrated the presence of corresponding immunoreactive material in both rat oocytes and bovine ejaculated sperm. Immunostaining in the oocyte was evenly distributed on the oolemma, excluding the cell cytoplasm and zona pellucida. Immunoreactive material was also present in the cumulus cells that encapsulate the oocyte. In contrast, the immunofluorescence corresponding to transductory G-proteins was confined in sperm to functionally defined regions in the head and tail, in a manner specific for each antibody. While RA beta gamma T, AS-1 and RA alpha 39 all stained the entire acrosome, AS-6 and RA alpha T stained only the acrosomal tip. Monoclonal antibody 4A stained the midpiece exclusively and anti-rat betaq-tubulin (a structural G-protein) stained the full length of the sperm tail. The existence of several G-protein types in mammalian gametes suggests their possible involvement in the regulation of various effector systems, in a manner reminiscent of somatic cells. The unique situation in sperm, where different G-proteins show distinct and specific patterns of distribution, further suggests their association with various effector systems in discrete functional domains.