The production of the second messenger molecules diacylglycerol (DAG) and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) is mediated by activated phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C enzymes. In vitro, hydrolyzes PtdIns(4,5)P2 in a Ca(2+)-dependent manner. Triggers intracellular Ca(2+) oscillations in oocytes solely during M phase and is involved in inducing oocyte activation and initiating embryonic development up to the blastocyst stage. Is therefore a strong candidate for the egg-activating soluble sperm factor that is transferred from the sperm into the egg cytoplasm following gamete membrane fusion. May exert an inhibitory effect on phospholipase-C-coupled processes that depend on calcium ions and protein kinase C, including CFTR trafficking and function.
Subcellular locations: Nucleus, Cytoplasm, Perinuclear region
Exhibits alternative cytoplasmic/nuclear localization during development. Translocates from the pronucleus into cytoplasm upon nuclear envelope breakdown for mitosis and localizes again to the pronucleus at interphase following meiosis and mitosis (By similarity).
Expressed specifically in testis and sperm. Weakly expressed in pancreatic-duct cells. Up-regulated in pancreatic-duct cells from patients with cystic fibrosis.