Posttranslational Protein Modifications in the Reproductive System

Abstract

The cytoskeleton, mainly consisting of microtubules, intermediate fi laments and microfi laments, along with cytoskeleton associated and interconnecting proteins as well as the centrosome, plays enormously important roles in all stages of embryogenesis and undergoes signifi cant changes to accommodate a diversity of cellular functions during gametogenesis, oocyte maturation, fertilization and pre-implantation embryo development. The varied functions of the cytoskeleton can be accomplished on many different levels, among which are a diversity of different posttranslational modifi cations (PTMs), chemical modifi cations that regulate activity, localization and interactions with other cellular molecules. PTMs of the cytoskeleton, including phosphorylation, glycosylation, ubiquitina- tion, detyrosination/tyrosination, (poly)glutamylation and (poly)glycylation, acetylation, sumoylation, and palmitoylation, will be addressed in this chapter. Focus will be on (1) Microtubules, microtubule organizing centers (centro- somes), intermediate fi laments, microfi laments and their PTMs; (2) Cytoskeletal functions and cytoskeletal PTMs during gametogenesis and oocyte maturation; and (3) Cytoskeletal functions and cytoskeletal PTMs during fertilization and pre-implantation embryo development. Keywords