The Emerging Roles of Protein Lipidation in Fertility and Reproductive Disorders: Mechanisms and Therapeutic
Heran Cao1,2, Xiaohua Liu2, Shenghui Zhu2
1Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.
Abstract:
Protein lipidation, a pivotal post-translational modification, dynamically regulates cellular signaling, membrane trafficking, and protein stability, with emerging roles in reproductive physiology. However, the systematic understanding of how distinct lipid modifications orchestrate physiological processes in male and female reproduction remains incomplete. This review systematically elaborates the mechanistic contributions of protein lipidation to gametogenesis, fertilization, and reproductive homeostasis. Finally, we discuss emerging therapeutic strategies targeting lipidation pathways-including inhibitors of palmitoylation (2-BP) and prenylation (lonafarnib)-and highlight their potential for treating infertility and reproductive disorders.
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