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Furukawa H, Mito S, Nishio J, Sato N, Ando Y, Tominaga A, Toyama F, Nakauchi Y, Takayama-Watanabe E, Watanabe A. Identification and characterization of sperm motility-initiating substance-2 gene in internally fertilizing Cynops species. Dev Growth Differ 2023; 65:144-152. [PMID: 36856665 DOI: 10.1111/dgd.12846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023]
Abstract
Sperm motility-initiating substance (SMIS) is an oviductal protein critical for internal fertilization in urodeles. It contributes to the establishment of various reproductive modes in amphibians and is thus a unique research model for the gene evolution of gamete-recognizing ligands that have diversified among animal species. In this study, a paralogous SMIS gene, smis2, was identified via the RNA sequencing of the oviduct of the newt, Cynops pyrrhogaster. The base sequence of the smis2 gene was homologous (˃90%) to that of the original smis gene (smis1), and deduced amino acid sequences of both genes conserved six cysteine residues essential for the cysteine knot motif. Furthermore, smis2 complementary DNA was identified in the oviduct of Cynops ensicauda, and the base substitution patterns also suggested that the smis gene was duplicated in the Salamandridae. Nonsynonymous/synonymous substitution ratios of smis1 and smis2 genes were 0.79 and 2.6, respectively, suggesting that smis2 gene evolution was independently driven by positive selection. Amino acid substitutions were concentrated in the cysteine knot motif of SMIS2. The smis2 gene was expressed in some organs in addition to the oviduct; in contrast, SMIS1 was only expressed in the oviduct. The SMIS2 protein was suggested to be produced and secreted at least in the oviduct and redundantly act in sperm. These results suggest that smis1 plays the original role in the oviduct, whereas smis2 may undergo neofunctionalization, which rarely occurs in gene evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haruka Furukawa
- Faculty of Science, Biological Division, Yamagata University, Yamagata, Japan
| | - Shinya Mito
- Faculty of Science, Biological Division, Yamagata University, Yamagata, Japan
| | - Jun Nishio
- Faculty of Science, Biological Division, Yamagata University, Yamagata, Japan
| | - Nozomi Sato
- Faculty of Science, Biological Division, Yamagata University, Yamagata, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Ando
- Faculty of Science, Biological Division, Yamagata University, Yamagata, Japan
| | | | - Fubito Toyama
- Graduate School of Engineering, Utsunomiya University, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Yuni Nakauchi
- Faculty of Science, Biological Division, Yamagata University, Yamagata, Japan
| | | | - Akihiko Watanabe
- Faculty of Science, Biological Division, Yamagata University, Yamagata, Japan
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Hirohashi N, Yanagimachi R. Sperm acrosome reaction: its site and role in fertilization. Biol Reprod 2019; 99:127-133. [PMID: 29462288 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioy045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2018] [Accepted: 02/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Manner and roles of sperm acrosome reaction in a variety of animals were compared.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noritaka Hirohashi
- Oki Marine Biological Station, Education and Research Center for Biological Resources, Shimane University, Oki, Japan
| | - Ryuzo Yanagimachi
- Department of Anatomy, Biochemistry and Physiology, Institute for Biogenesis Research, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
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Endo D, Kon S, Sato T, Toyama F, Katsura Y, Nakauchi Y, Takayama-Watanabe E, Watanabe A. NMDA-type glutamate receptors mediate the acrosome reaction and motility initiation in newt sperm. Mol Reprod Dev 2019; 86:1106-1115. [PMID: 31215127 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Revised: 05/21/2019] [Accepted: 05/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The N-methyl d-aspartate type glutamate receptor (NMDAR) is a ligand-gated cation channel that causes Ca2+ influx in nerve cells. An NMDAR agonist is effective to the sperm motility in fowls, although the actual role of NMDAR in sperm function is unknown. In the present study, RNA-seq of the spermatogenic testes suggested the presence of NMDAR in the sperm of the newt Cynops pyrrhogaster. Glutamate of at least 0.7 ± 0.5 mM was detected in the egg-jelly substances along with acrosome reaction-inducing substance (ARIS) and sperm motility-initiating substance (SMIS). In the egg-jelly extract (JE) that included the ARIS and SMIS, the acrosome reaction was inhibited by a NMDAR antagonists, memantine and MK801. MK801 also inhibited the spontaneous acrosome reaction in Steinberg's salt solution (ST). Furthermore, memantine and MK801 suppressed the progressive motility of the sperm in JE and spontaneous waving of the undulating membrane, which is the tail structure giving thrust for forward motility, in ST. The spontaneous waving of the undulating membrane was promoted when Mg2+ , which blocks Ca2+ influx through gated NMDARs, was removed from the ST. In addition, the ARIS-induced acrosome reaction was inhibited by a selective antagonist of the transient receptor potential vanilloid 4, whose activation might result in the membrane depolarization to release Mg2+ from the NMDAR. These results suggest that NMDAR acts together with other cation channels in the induction of the acrosome reaction and motility of the sperm during the fertilization process of C. pyrrhogaster.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisuke Endo
- Biological Division, Faculty of Science, Yamagata University, Yamagata, Japan
| | - Shinnosuke Kon
- Biological Division, Faculty of Science, Yamagata University, Yamagata, Japan
| | - Tae Sato
- Biological Division, Faculty of Science, Yamagata University, Yamagata, Japan
| | - Fubito Toyama
- Department of Fundamental Engineering, School of Engineering, Utsunomiya University, Utsunomiya, Japan
| | - Yohei Katsura
- Biological Division, Faculty of Science, Yamagata University, Yamagata, Japan
| | - Yuni Nakauchi
- Biological Division, Faculty of Science, Yamagata University, Yamagata, Japan
| | | | - Akihiko Watanabe
- Biological Division, Faculty of Science, Yamagata University, Yamagata, Japan
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Kon S, Sato T, Endo D, Takahashi T, Takaku A, Nakauchi Y, Toyama F, Meyer-Rochow VB, Takayama-Watanabe E, Watanabe A. Sperm storage influences the potential for spontaneous acrosome reaction of the sperm in the newt Cynops pyrrhogaster. Mol Reprod Dev 2017; 84:1314-1322. [PMID: 29235206 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.22932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2017] [Accepted: 11/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Sperm storage is supposed to influence sperm quality, although the details remain unclear. In the present study, we found that sperm stored in a sperm storage site, the vas deferens of Cynops pyrrhogaster, spontaneously undergo acrosome reaction following incubation in Steinberg's salt solution (ST). Percentages of acrosome-reacted sperm increased time-dependently to about 60% in 24 hr. The concentration of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) was elevated after incubating sperm in ST, while dibutylyl cAMP induced an acrosome reaction. Chelating of extracellular Ca2+ suppressed the dibutylyl cAMP-induced acrosome reaction as well as spontaneous acrosome reaction in ST. These results suggest that cAMP elevation driven by Ca2+ influx can be a cue for spontaneous acrosome reaction. Relatively low Ca2+ concentration and pH in the vas deferens were sufficient to suppress spontaneous acrosome reaction within 1 hr. In addition, the cysteine rich secretory protein 2 gene was expressed in the vas deferens, indicating that it may be involved in the continuous suppression of spontaneous acrosome reaction. Sperm that underwent spontaneous acrosome reaction in ST was significantly increased when stored in the vas deferens for longer periods, or by males experiencing temperatures in excess of 12°C during hibernation conditions. Percentages of the spontaneously acrosome-reacted sperm were found to differ among males even though they were of identical genetic background. Taken together, C. pyrrhogaster sperm possess the potential for spontaneous acrosome reaction that does not become obvious in the vas deferens, unless promoted in correlation with sperm storage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinnosuke Kon
- Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Yamagata University, Kojirakawa, Yamagata, Japan
| | - Tae Sato
- Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Yamagata University, Kojirakawa, Yamagata, Japan
| | - Daisuke Endo
- Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Yamagata University, Kojirakawa, Yamagata, Japan
| | - Tomoe Takahashi
- Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Yamagata University, Kojirakawa, Yamagata, Japan
| | - Akio Takaku
- Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Yamagata University, Kojirakawa, Yamagata, Japan
| | - Yuni Nakauchi
- Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Yamagata University, Kojirakawa, Yamagata, Japan
| | - Fubito Toyama
- Graduate School of Engineering, Utsunomiya University, Utsunomiya, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Victor B Meyer-Rochow
- Department of Biology, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.,Research Institute of Luminous Organisms, Hachijojima, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Akihiko Watanabe
- Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Yamagata University, Kojirakawa, Yamagata, Japan
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Yokoe M, Sano M, Shibata H, Shibata D, Takayama-Watanabe E, Inaba K, Watanabe A. Sperm proteases that may be involved in the initiation of sperm motility in the newt, Cynops pyrrhogaster. Int J Mol Sci 2014; 15:15210-24. [PMID: 25170808 PMCID: PMC4200841 DOI: 10.3390/ijms150915210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2014] [Revised: 07/28/2014] [Accepted: 08/25/2014] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
A protease of sperm in the newt Cynops pyrrhogaster that is released after the acrosome reaction (AR) is proposed to lyse the sheet structure on the outer surface of egg jelly and release sperm motility-initiating substance (SMIS). Here, we found that protease activity in the sperm head was potent to widely digest substrates beneath the sperm. The protease activity measured by fluorescein thiocarbamoyl-casein digestion was detected in the supernatant of the sperm after the AR and the activity was inhibited by 4-(2-aminoethyl) benzenesulfonyl fluoride (AEBSF), an inhibitor for serine or cysteine protease, suggesting the release of serine and/or cysteine proteases by AR. In an in silico analysis of the testes, acrosins and 20S proteasome were identified as possible candidates of the acrosomal proteases. We also detected another AEBSF-sensitive protease activity on the sperm surface. Fluorescence staining with AlexaFluor 488-labeled AEBSF revealed a cysteine protease in the principal piece; it is localized in the joint region between the axial rod and undulating membrane, which includes an axoneme and produces powerful undulation of the membrane for forward sperm motility. These results indicate that AEBSF-sensitive proteases in the acrosome and principal piece may participate in the initiation of sperm motility on the surface of egg jelly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Misato Yokoe
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Yamagata University, 1-4-12 Kojirakawa, Yamagata 990-8560, Japan.
| | - Makoto Sano
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Yamagata University, 1-4-12 Kojirakawa, Yamagata 990-8560, Japan.
| | - Honami Shibata
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Yamagata University, 1-4-12 Kojirakawa, Yamagata 990-8560, Japan.
| | - Daisuke Shibata
- Shimoda Marine Research Center, University of Tsukuba, 5-10-1 Shimoda, Shizuoka 415-0025, Japan.
| | - Eriko Takayama-Watanabe
- Institute of Arts and Sciences, Yamagata University, 1-4-12 Kojirakawa, Yamagata 990-8560, Japan.
| | - Kazuo Inaba
- Shimoda Marine Research Center, University of Tsukuba, 5-10-1 Shimoda, Shizuoka 415-0025, Japan.
| | - Akihiko Watanabe
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Yamagata University, 1-4-12 Kojirakawa, Yamagata 990-8560, Japan.
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Contribution of different Ca2+ channels to the acrosome reaction-mediated initiation of sperm motility in the newt Cynops pyrrhogaster. ZYGOTE 2013; 23:342-51. [DOI: 10.1017/s0967199413000609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
SummaryInitiation of sperm motility in urodeles, which is induced by a sperm motility-initiating substance (SMIS) in the sequestered granules on the surface of egg jelly, is mediated by the acrosome reaction (AR), which is triggered by an AR-inducing substance (ARIS) on a sheet-like structure. Details of the unique process of the interaction between egg jelly and sperm in these species is still unclear. The current study showed the fine structure of egg jelly in the newt Cynops pyrrhogaster, a urodele species, revealing that its outer surface was covered by a sheet-like structure of approximately 0.29 μm in thickness. Granules of approximately 2 μm in diameter with small particles of approximately 54 nm were attached to its surface and distributed inhomogeneously just beneath the sheet-like structure. Emission spectrometry revealed that the Ca2+ concentration was maintained at a high level compared with that of the blood plasma and the vas deferens fluid, suggesting that egg jelly is a reliable source of Ca2+ for the sperm–egg interaction. Blockers of the T-type voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel (VDCC), but not the L-type VDCC, inhibited both AR and initiation of sperm motility. Conversely, Ni+, which affects the α1 H subunit of T-type VDCC, only inhibited the initiation of sperm motility. These data suggest that, in response to ARIS and SMIS, sequential gating of distinct Ca2+ channels occurs in the AR, followed by the initiation of sperm motility on the surface of the egg jelly in C. pyrrhogaster at fertilization.
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Takahashi T, Kutsuzawa M, Shiba K, Takayama-Watanabe E, Inaba K, Watanabe A. Distinct Ca2+channels maintain a high motility state of the sperm that may be needed for penetration of egg jelly of the newt,Cynops pyrrhogaster. Dev Growth Differ 2013; 55:657-67. [DOI: 10.1111/dgd.12073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2013] [Revised: 07/18/2013] [Accepted: 07/18/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tomoe Takahashi
- Department of Biology; Faculty of Science; Yamagata University; 1-4-12 Kojirakawa; Yamagata; 990-8560; Japan
| | - Megumi Kutsuzawa
- Department of Biology; Faculty of Science; Yamagata University; 1-4-12 Kojirakawa; Yamagata; 990-8560; Japan
| | - Kogiku Shiba
- Shimoda Marine Research Center; University of Tsukuba; 5-10-1 Shimoda; Shizuoka; 415-0025; Japan
| | - Eriko Takayama-Watanabe
- Institute of Arts and Sciences; Yamagata University; 1-4-12 Kojirakawa; Yamagata; 990-8560; Japan
| | - Kazuo Inaba
- Shimoda Marine Research Center; University of Tsukuba; 5-10-1 Shimoda; Shizuoka; 415-0025; Japan
| | - Akihiko Watanabe
- Department of Biology; Faculty of Science; Yamagata University; 1-4-12 Kojirakawa; Yamagata; 990-8560; Japan
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Sperm motility initiation by egg jelly of the anuran, Discoglossus pictus may be mediated by sperm motility-initiating substance of the internally-fertilizing newt, Cynops pyrrhogaster. ZYGOTE 2012; 20:417-22. [DOI: 10.1017/s0967199412000226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
SummaryThe egg jelly of Discoglossus pictus contains sperm motility-activating activity, the molecular basis of which has not been studied. Discoglossus pictus sperm initiated motility immediately after immersion in egg-jelly extract, as well as after immersion in hyposmotic solution, which initiates sperm motility in the external fertilization of anuran amphibians. Sequential treatment of the D. pictus sperm with these two solutions revealed the predominant effect of hyposmolality in initiation of motility. The motility initiation induced by jelly extract was suppressed by a monoclonal antibody (mAb) that is specific for the 34 kDa sperm motility-initiating substance (SMIS) in the egg jelly of the newt, Cynops pyrrhogaster. Immunoblotting using the anti-SMIS mAb revealed several antigenic proteins that included major ones with sizes of 18- and 34-kDa in D. pictus jelly extract. Scanning electron microscopic observation revealed that granules of jelly matrix, in which SMIS localizes and which have a critical role in the internal fertilization of C. pyrrhogaster, were not observed near the surface of the D. pictus egg jelly. These results suggest that sperm motility-activating activity in egg jelly of D. pictus may be mediated by SMIS homologous proteins that act through a mechanism that is partially different from that of C. pyrrhogaster.
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Watanabe A, Takayama-Watanabe E, Vines CA, Cherr GN. Sperm motility-initiating substance in newt egg-jelly induces differential initiation of sperm motility based on sperm intracellular calcium levels. Dev Growth Differ 2011; 53:9-17. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-169x.2010.01216.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Mansour N, Lahnsteiner F, Patzner R. Collection of gametes from live axolotl, Ambystoma mexicanum, and standardization of in vitro fertilization. Theriogenology 2011; 75:354-61. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2010.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2010] [Revised: 08/30/2010] [Accepted: 09/09/2010] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Ohta M, Kubo H, Nakauchi Y, Watanabe A. Sperm Motility-Initiating Activity in the Egg Jelly of the Externally-Fertilizing Urodele Amphibian,Hynobius lichenatus. Zoolog Sci 2010; 27:875-9. [DOI: 10.2108/zsj.27.875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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12
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Watanabe A, Fukutomi K, Kubo H, Ohta M, Takayama-Watanabe E, Onitake K. Identification of egg-jelly substances triggering sperm acrosome reaction in the newt,Cynops pyrrhogaster. Mol Reprod Dev 2009; 76:399-406. [DOI: 10.1002/mrd.20959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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Menkhorst E, Selwood L. Vertebrate Extracellular Preovulatory and Postovulatory Egg Coats. Biol Reprod 2008; 79:790-7. [DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.108.068551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
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