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Sperm Nucleoproteins

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Sperm Chromatin

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Abstract

Protamines are the most abundant nuclear proteins packaging the ­mammalian male genome in the sperm nucleus. The main proposed functions of these proteins are condensation and streamlining of the sperm cell, protection of the genetic message, and contribution to the epigenetic organisation of the paternal genome. Different studies have demonstrated the presence of an altered expression of protamines in some infertile patients and a link to decreased DNA integrity. However, in addition to protamines, about 5–15% of the male sperm genome is also complexed with histones and histone variants. Furthermore, present proteomic approaches based on mass spectrometry are also identifying additional chromatin-associated proteins. Of importance, it has been demonstrated that there is a differential distribution of genes into the histone- and protamine-associated regions of the sperm nucleus, which supports the idea of an epigenetic marking of the sperm nucleoprotein, with potential relevance in early embryonic development.

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Acknowledgements

Supported by grants from the Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia (BFU2009-07118), fondos FEDER to RO.

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  1. Human Genetics Research Group, IDIBAPS, Faculty of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain

    Rafael Oliva MD, PhD & Judit Castillo MS

  2. Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Service, Hospital Clínic i Provincial, Barcelona, Spain

    Rafael Oliva MD, PhD & Judit Castillo MS

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  1. Rafael Oliva MD, PhD
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  2. Judit Castillo MS
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Correspondence to Rafael Oliva MD, PhD .

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  1. St. Mary's Hospital, Div. Urology, McGill University, Lacombe Avenue 3830, Montreal, H3T 1M5, Québec, Canada

    Armand Zini

  2. Lerner College of Medicine, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Euclid Avenue 9500, Cleveland, 44195, Ohio, USA

    Ashok Agarwal

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Oliva, R., Castillo, J. (2011). Sperm Nucleoproteins. In: Zini, A., Agarwal, A. (eds) Sperm Chromatin. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-6857-9_3

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