Abstract
Prostaglandins comprise a family of lipid signaling molecules derived from polyunsaturated fatty acids and are involved in a wide array of biological processes, including fertilization. Prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase (a.k.a. cyclooxygenase or Cox) initiates prostaglandin synthesis from 20-carbon polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as arachidonic acid. Oocytes of Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) have been shown to secrete sperm-guidance cues prostaglandins, independent of Cox enzymes. Both prostaglandin synthesis and signal transduction in C. elegans are environmentally modulated pathways that regulate sperm guidance to the fertilization site. Environmental factors such as food triggers insulin and TGF-β secretion and their levels regulate tissue-specific prostaglandin synthesis in C. elegans. This novel PG pathway is abundant in mouse and human ovarian follicular fluid, where their functions, mechanism of synthesis and pathways remain to be established. Given the importance of prostaglandins in reproductive processes, a better understanding of how diets and other environmental factors influence their synthesis and function may lead to new strategies towards improving fertility in mammals.
Highlights
Prostaglandins (PGs) are a family of important lipid signaling molecules produced in most tissues and organs from polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) such as arachidonic acid (AA) (C20:4) by Cox enzymes
We have shown that these PUFAs are the precursors for sperm-guiding PG formation and converted into more than 10 structurally related F-series PGs in C. elegans, which function collectively and largely redundantly to guide sperm to the fertilization site [13]
These results indicate that insulin signaling promotes yolk transport to the oocyte and facilitates the PG synthesis in C. elegans
Summary
Prostaglandins (PGs) are a family of important lipid signaling molecules produced in most tissues and organs from polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) such as arachidonic acid (AA) (C20:4) by Cox enzymes. They are implicated in regulating human reproduction, inflammation, neurological function, and cancer progression, and act as short-lived, local hormones. PG-like compounds have been reported in primitive insect Thermobia domestica through enzymatic action of lipoxygenase [7] Another example is the Caribbean coral Plexaura homomalla which produces highest levels PGs with a unique 15R stereospecificity [8]. Cox enzymes mediate the canonical PG synthesis pathway, non-enzymatic mechanisms, can generate PGs and PG-like compounds [10,11]. Selected PGs are weak agonists for the aryl hydrocarbon receptor and mediate the biological actions of many environmental toxins [34]
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