Abstract: Glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3), a kind of kinase expressed widely in different tissues and cells, is involved in the regulation of many biological processes. Two isoforms of GSK-3, GSK-3α and GSK-3β, are located in spermatozoon, suggesting that GSK-3 participate in the regulation of epididymal spermatozoon maturation, capacitation and acrosomal reaction in female reproductive tract. Through phosphorylating target proteins or enzymes such as septins4 and PP1γ2, GSK-3 could influence the sperm capacitation and acrosome reaction. As a vital kinase in many signaling pathways including Wnt signal pathway, Toll like receptor signaling pathway, cAMP/PKA mediated protein phosphorylation pathway and so on, GSK-3 is strictly regulated. Thus, the investigation about the role of GSK-3 in spermatozoon is important for elucidating the cause of male infertility as well as the physiological process of spermatozoon in the male and female reproductive tract.
【Keywords】  

Key words: Glycogen synthase kinase 3, Sperm maturation, Acrosome reaction, Sperm capacitation, Signal transduction