Cell surface phosphorylation by a novel ecto-protein kinase: A key regulator of cellular functions in spermatozoa

Since 1976 many studies have been reported on the occurrence and functional significance of ecto-protein kinases in a variety of cell types although their precise biochemical identity is largely unknown. This study reports for the first time purification to apparent homogeneity of an ecto-protein kinase (ecto-CIK) and some of its characteristics using caprine sperm as the cell model. The ecto-CIK is a unique membrane-specific serine/threonine protein kinase. It is a strongly basic 115 kDa protein made up of two subunits: 63 and 55 kDa. The ecto-kinase undergoes a remarkable lateral movement on the outer cell surface culminating in capping on the sperm acrosomal tip. MPS, its major protein substrate is also located on the acrosomal tip. Both ecto CIK and MPS serve as potential regulators of flagellar motility. This novel enzyme appears to be major kinase responsible for the reported regulation of mammalian cellular functions by modulating phosphorylation of the membrane-bound proteins.