In spermatozoa, Stat1 is activated during capacitation and the acrosomal reaction

Abstract

A role for sperm-specific proteins during the early embryonic development has been suggested by a number of recent studies. However, little is known about the participation of transcription factors in that stage. Here, we show that the signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (Stat1), but not Stat4, was phosphorylated in response to capacitation and the acrosomal reaction (AR). Moreover, Stat1 phosphorylation correlated with changes in its localization: during capacitation, Stat1 moved from the cytoplasm to the theca/flagellum fraction. During AR, Stat1 phosphorylation increased again. In addition, blocking protein kinase A (PKA) and PKC during capacitation abolished both phosphorylation and migration of Stat1. Our results show tight spatio–temporal rearrangements of Stat1, suggesting that after fertilization Stat1 participates in the first rounds of transcription within the male pronucleus.