SUMMARYOn the basis of the unknown tags in the mature human sperm serial analysis of gene expression library constructed by our laboratory, some transcripts were cloned, including Iqcf1 (IQ motif containing F1). To investigate the function of sperm-retained Iqcf1 in spermatogenesis and fertilization of mice, we investigated the spatial and temporal expression of IQCF1. By using the (transcription activator-like effector nuclease) strategy, Iqcf1-knockout mice were produced, and the phenotypes of the Iqcf1 À/À mice were analyzed. The results showed that IQCF1 was localized in the acrosome of spermatozoa and spermatids; the expression of IQCF1 in testes was associated with spermatogenic capacity. The Iqcf1 À/À mice were significantly less fertile than the wild-type mice (p = 0.0057) because of reduced sperm motility (p = 0.0094) and the acrosome reaction (AR) (p = 0.0093). In spermatozoa, IQCF1 interacted with calmodulin (CaM) and possibly participated in the tyrosine phosphorylation of sperm proteins during capacitation. In conclusion, a newly identified acrosomal protein, IQCF1, is closely related to sperm capacitation and AR; in particular, it is involved in tyrosine phosphorylation of sperm proteins through interaction with CaM. Research into the function of IQCF1 during fertilization could facilitate the investigation of the molecular mechanism of capacitation, which is unclear.

Sets of experimental data on the Cs(2) a(3)Σ(u)(+) and 1(g) (3(3)Π(1g)) states, including the bound-bound and bound-free fluorescence spectra, are analyzed simultaneously to produce the potential energy curves of both states in the form of the Morse long range multiparameter function. The attractive branch of the a(3)Σ(u)(+) state potential is improved relative to the one reported in our earlier work [F. Xie, V. B. Sovkov, A. M. Lyyra, D. Li, S. Ingram, J. Bai, V. S. Ivanov, S. Magnier, and L. Li, J. Chem. Phys. 130, 051102 (2009)], in which the data on this state alone were analyzed. Besides, the new potential of this state also includes the repulsive branch in the range spanned by the bound-free fluorescence spectra. We have not found experimental evidence of the double minimum character of the 3(3)Π(1g) state potential, predicted by ab initio calculations, at least up to v = 8. This fact testifies that the upper state observed is better described by the Hund coupling case (c), in which the case (a) electronic basis states are intermixed by the strong spin-orbit interaction.

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Background: Topical glucocorticoid (GC) is still the first choice in the treatment of psoriasis. Although psoriasis can be controlled rapidly by topical GC, the relapse occurs very soon. Till now, the mechanism of it has not been well known. Objective: Study the mechanism of psoriasis relapse associated with topical GC. Methods: Mice ear skin was treated with IMQ once daily for 21d, from day 6 additional halometasone cream (topical GC) was used once daily with Vaseline control for 16d (treatment group). Then, both treatments were withdrawed and the mice recovered for 2W (withdrawal group). Thereafter, IMQ was reapplied once daily for 1W (relapse group). At the indicated time points, mice were sacrificed and analyzed by FACES and Real-time PCR. Results: At treatment group, the psoriatic phenotype in topical GC applied mice almost disappeared. However, the expression of IL-7R on Vg4+T and gdT were upregulated in skin, and the expression of IL-7, CCL20 and CCL2 were enhanced in skin. Moreover, there was increased ratio of Vg4+T among gdT in skin and draining lymph node. At withdrawal and relapse group, the expression of CCR6 on Vg4+T and gdT were increased in