Medizinische Universität Graz - Research portal
Selected Publication:
SHR Neuro Cancer Cardio Lipid Metab Microb
Bauer, MA; Carmona-Gutiérrez, D; Ruckenstuhl, C; Reisenbichler, A; Megalou, EV; Eisenberg, T; Magnes, C; Jungwirth, H; Sinner, FM; Pieber, TR; Fröhlich, KU; Kroemer, G; Tavernarakis, N; Madeo, F.
Spermidine promotes mating and fertilization efficiency in model organisms.
Cell Cycle. 2013; 12(2):346-352
Doi: 10.4161/cc.23199
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- Co-authors Med Uni Graz
- Pieber Thomas
- Sinner Frank Michael
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- Abstract:
- Spermidine is a naturally occurring polyamine involved in multiple biological processes, including DNA metabolism, autophagy and aging. Like other polyamines, spermidine is also indispensable for successful reproduction at several stages. However, a direct influence on the actual fertilization process, i.e., the fusion of an oocyte with a spermatocyte, remains uncertain. To explore this possibility, we established the mating process in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model for fertilization in higher eukaryotes. During human fertilization, the sperm capacitates and the acrosome reaction is necessary for penetration of the oocyte. Similarly, sexually active yeasts form a protrusion called "shmoo" as a prerequisite for mating. In this study, we demonstrate that pheromone-induced shmoo formation requires spermidine. In addition, we show that spermidine is essential for mating in yeast as well as for egg fertilization in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. In both cases, this occurs independently from autophagy. In synthesis, we identify spermidine as an important mating component in unicellular and multicellular model organisms, supporting an unprecedented evolutionary conservation of the mechanisms governing fertilization-related cellular fusion.
- Find related publications in this database (using NLM MeSH Indexing)
- Animals -
- Autophagy - physiology
- Caenorhabditis elegans -
- Cell Surface Extensions - drug effects
- Cell Surface Extensions - physiology
- Chromatography, Liquid -
- Fertilization - physiology
- Microscopy, Fluorescence -
- Pheromones - pharmacology
- Polyamines - metabolism
- Reproduction - physiology
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae -
- Spermidine - physiology
- Tandem Mass Spectrometry -
- Find related publications in this database (Keywords)
- Caenorhabditis elegans
- spermidine
- mating
- fertilization
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae
- shmoo
- autophagy
- sexual reproduction