Inhibition of PP1 leads to initiation and stimulation of sperm motility. Flagellar tracings of bovine epididymal sperm treated with the PP1 inhibitor Okadaic Acid (OA). Sperm were prepared from each epididymal section; 5 mMOA was added before flagellar analysis. The tracings of representative sperm through 30 successive frames are shown. The units of the axes are in micrometers. Data derived from analysis of 10-12 sperm showed that the beat amplitudes (A40 in mm) of caput (13.5+0.8), corpus (15.8+0.5), and caudal sperm (17.7 +0.7) were significantly different from control values (0, 12.5+1.1, and 11.0+0.8, respectively for caput, corpus and caudal sperm). Wavelength of beat was 29-31mm not different in control and treated sperm.

 

 

Northern blot showing expression of PP1g1 and PP2g2 in testis compared to other tissues (left).Nortnern blot of RNA from post natal developing testis showing expression of PP1g2 compared to the other isoforms (right).

 

Immuno histochemisty of mouse testis section stained with PP1g2 antibody shows expression in speratogenic cells starting from spermatocyte onwards (left).

Immuno cytochemistry of mouse sperm showing localization of PP1g2 in the acrosome and post acrosome reagions of the head and in the flagellum. (right)