β-catenin is a molecular switch that regulates transition of cell-cell adhesion to fusion.

Scientific Reports
Youki TakezawaAkihiro Umezawa

Abstract

When a sperm and an oocyte unite upon fertilization, their cell membranes adhere and fuse, but little is known about the factors regulating sperm-oocyte adhesion. Here we explored the role of β-catenin in sperm-oocyte adhesion. Biochemical analysis revealed that E-cadherin and β-catenin formed a complex in oocytes and also in sperm. Sperm-oocyte adhesion was impaired when β-catenin-deficient oocytes were inseminated with sperm. Furthermore, expression of β-catenin decreased from the sperm head and the site of an oocyte to which a sperm adheres after completion of sperm-oocyte adhesion. UBE1-41, an inhibitor of ubiquitin-activating enzyme 1, inhibited the degradation of β-catenin, and reduced the fusing ability of wild-type (but not β-catenin-deficient) oocytes. These results indicate that β-catenin is not only involved in membrane adhesion, but also in the transition to membrane fusion upon fertilization.

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Citations

Oct 15, 2013·Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. Part A, Molecular & Integrative Physiology·Christelle SanterreAnne-Sophie Martinez
Oct 11, 2012·Journal of Hazardous Materials·Rui LiJunlin He
Nov 12, 2014·Reproduction : the Official Journal of the Society for the Study of Fertility·Tirtha K DattaGeorge W Smith
Jul 3, 2019·International Journal of Molecular Sciences·Gayathri D RajamanickamJacob C Thundathil
May 24, 2013·Reproductive Medicine and Biology·Yuichirou HaradaKenji Miyado
May 23, 2012·Fertility and Sterility·Naokazu InoueMasaru Okabe

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Methods Mentioned

BETA
immunoprecipitation
transgenic
ubiquitination
PCR

Software Mentioned

LSM Image Brower

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