PLCZ1
PLCZ1 (phospholipase C zeta 1, also known as PLCzeta, Czeta and NYD-SP27) is a phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C that localises to the sperm acrosome. It elicits Ca(2+) oscillations in the egg at fertilisation and is a strong candidate for the egg-activating soluble sperm factor. Browse Assay Genie's current range of PLCZ1 research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
PLCZ1 belongs to the phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C family. These enzymes hydrolyse phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PtdIns(4,5)P2) to yield the second messengers diacylglycerol (DAG) and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3). In vitro, PLCZ1 carries out this hydrolysis in a Ca(2+)-dependent manner. In oocytes it triggers intracellular Ca(2+) oscillations solely during M phase, and it is involved in inducing oocyte activation and initiating embryonic development up to the blastocyst stage.
The protein localises to the acrosome in spermatozoa and is transferred from the sperm into the egg cytoplasm following gamete membrane fusion, which is why it is regarded as a strong candidate for the egg-activating soluble sperm factor. UniProt also records nuclear and perinuclear cytoplasmic localisation. The PLCZ1 gene undergoes alternative splicing, giving multiple transcript variants. The protein may also exert an inhibitory effect on phospholipase-C-coupled processes that depend on calcium ions and protein kinase C, including CFTR trafficking and function.
The NCBI summary places PLCZ1 among six tissue- and organ-specific phospholipase C isotypes. HGNC classifies it within phospholipases, C2 domain containing phospholipases, EF-hand domain containing proteins and gamete adhesion and fusion factors. Its previous name was phospholipase C, zeta 1. Mouse and rat both carry a Plcz1 ortholog, so the PLCZ1 gene can be studied in common rodent models of fertilisation.
PLCZ1 elicits Ca(2+) oscillations in the egg and is a strong candidate for the sperm factor that activates the oocyte after gamete fusion.
PLCZ1-driven Ca(2+) signalling is involved in initiating embryonic development up to the blastocyst stage.
The enzyme hydrolyses PtdIns(4,5)P2 in a Ca(2+)-dependent manner to generate DAG and IP3, making it a model for second messenger production.
PLCZ1 localises to the acrosome in spermatozoa, linking it to sperm structure and to gamete adhesion and fusion.
PLCZ1 hydrolyses PtdIns(4,5)P2 in a Ca(2+)-dependent manner to produce DAG and IP3. In oocytes it triggers Ca(2+) oscillations during M phase, helps induce oocyte activation and supports embryonic development to the blastocyst stage. It is a strong candidate for the soluble sperm factor.
PLCZ1 is also called PLCzeta, Czeta and NYD-SP27, and its full name is phospholipase C zeta 1. Its previous HGNC name was phospholipase C, zeta 1. UniProt lists it as 1-phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate phosphodiesterase zeta-1. Alternative splicing gives multiple transcript variants.
Yes. Both mouse and rat have a Plcz1 ortholog, so rodent models can be used to study its role in fertilisation. As with any reagent, check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity before choosing a species.
Other phospholipase C family members and partners in IP3, DAG and calcium signalling with products at Assay Genie.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt Q86YW0; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.