1
|
Raj G, Nitin K, Abhishek S, Dey S, Rajakumara E. Computational and in vitro binding studies of theophylline against phosphodiesterases functioning in sperm in presence and absence of pentoxifylline. Biophys Chem 2024; 313:107294. [PMID: 39029164 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpc.2024.107294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2024] [Revised: 06/29/2024] [Accepted: 07/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/21/2024]
Abstract
Fertility is a result of a synergy among the sperm's various functions including capacitation, motility, chemotaxis, acrosome reaction, and, finally, the fertilization of the oocyte. Subpar motility is the most common cause of infertility in males. Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signalling underlies motility and is depleted by the phosphodiesterases (PDEs) in sperm, such as PDE10A, PDE1, and PDE4. Therefore, the PDE inhibitor (PDEI) category of fertility drugs aim to enhance motility in assisted reproduction technologies (ARTs) through inhibition of PDEs, though they might have adverse effects on other physiological variables. For example, the popular drug pentoxifylline (PTX), widely used in ARTs, improves motility but causes premature acrosome reaction and exerts toxicity on the fertilized oocyte. Another xanthine-derived drug, theophylline (TP), has been repurposed for treating infertility, but its mechanism of PDE inhibition remains unexplored. Here, using biophysical and computational approaches, we identified that TP binds to the same binding pocket as PTX with higher affinity than PTX. We also found that PTX and TP co-bind to the same binding pocket, but at different sites.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gupta Raj
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Kandi, Sangareddy 502285, Telangana, India
| | - Kulhar Nitin
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Kandi, Sangareddy 502285, Telangana, India
| | - Suman Abhishek
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Kandi, Sangareddy 502285, Telangana, India.
| | - Sreenath Dey
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Kandi, Sangareddy 502285, Telangana, India
| | - Eerappa Rajakumara
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Kandi, Sangareddy 502285, Telangana, India.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Dai P, Chen C, Yu J, Ma C, Zhang X. New insights into sperm physiology regulation: Enlightenment from G-protein-coupled receptors. Andrology 2024; 12:1253-1271. [PMID: 38225815 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND G-protein-coupled receptors are critical in many physiological and pathological processes in various organs. Serving as the control panel for sensing extracellular stimuli, G-protein-coupled receptors recognise various ligands, including light, temperature, odours, pheromones, hormones, neurotransmitters, chemokines, etc. Most recently, G-protein-coupled receptors residing in spermatozoa have been found to be indispensable for sperm function. OBJECTIVE Here, we have summarised cutting-edge findings on the functional mechanisms of G-protein-coupled receptors that are known to be associated with sperm functions and the activation of their downstream effectors, providing new insights into the roles of G-protein-coupled receptors in sperm physiology. RESULTS Emerging studies hint that alterations in G-protein-coupled receptors could affect sperm function, implicating their role in fertility, but solid evidence needs to be continuing excavated with various means. Several members of the G-protein-coupled receptor superfamily, including olfactory receptors, opsins, orphan G-protein-coupled receptors, CXC chemokine receptor 4, CC chemokine receptor 5 and CC chemokine receptor 6 as well as their downstream effector β-arrestins, etc., were suggested to be essential for sperm motility, capacitation, thermotaxis, chemotaxis, Ca2+ influx through CatSper channel and fertilisation capacity. CONCLUSION The present review provides a comprehensive overview of studies describing G-protein-coupled receptors and their potential action in sperm function. We also present a critical discussion of these issues, and a possible framework for future investigations on the diverse ligands, biological functions and cell signalling of G-protein-coupled receptors in spermatozoa. Here, the G-protein-coupled receptors and their related G proteins that specifically were identified in spermatozoa were summarised, and provided references valuable for further illumination, despite the evidence that is not overwhelming in most cases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pengyuan Dai
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, PR China
| | - Chen Chen
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, PR China
| | - Jingyan Yu
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, PR China
| | - Chaoye Ma
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, PR China
| | - Xiaoning Zhang
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, PR China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Weide T, Mills K, Shofner I, Breitzman MW, Kerns K. Metabolic Shift in Porcine Spermatozoa during Sperm Capacitation-Induced Zinc Flux. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:7919. [PMID: 39063161 PMCID: PMC11276750 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25147919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2024] [Revised: 07/09/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Mammalian spermatozoa rely on glycolysis and mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation for energy leading up to fertilization. Sperm capacitation involves a series of well-regulated biochemical steps that are necessary to give spermatozoa the ability to fertilize the oocyte. Additionally, zinc ion (Zn2+) fluxes have recently been shown to occur during mammalian sperm capacitation. Semen from seven commercial boars was collected and analyzed using image-based flow cytometry before, after, and with the inclusion of 2 mM Zn2+ containing in vitro capacitation (IVC) media. Metabolites were extracted and analyzed via Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), identifying 175 metabolites, with 79 differentially abundant across treatments (p < 0.05). Non-capacitated samples showed high levels of respiration-associated metabolites including glucose, fructose, citric acid, and pyruvic acid. After 4 h IVC, these metabolites significantly decreased, while phosphate, lactic acid, and glucitol increased (p < 0.05). With zinc inclusion, we observed an increase in metabolites such as lactic acid, glucitol, glucose, fructose, myo-inositol, citric acid, and succinic acid, while saturated fatty acids including palmitic, dodecanoic, and myristic acid decreased compared to 4 h IVC, indicating regulatory shifts in metabolic pathways and fatty acid composition during capacitation. These findings underscore the importance of metabolic changes in improving artificial insemination and fertility treatments in livestock and humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tyler Weide
- Department of Animal Science, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA; (T.W.); (I.S.)
| | - Kayla Mills
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC), Beltsville, MD 20705, USA;
| | - Ian Shofner
- Department of Animal Science, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA; (T.W.); (I.S.)
| | - Matthew W. Breitzman
- W.M. Keck Metabolomics Research Laboratory, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA;
| | - Karl Kerns
- Department of Animal Science, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA; (T.W.); (I.S.)
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Yadav RS, Kushawaha B, Dhariya R, Swain DK, Yadav B, Anand M, Kumari P, Rai PK, Singh D, Yadav S, Garg SK. Lead and calcium crosstalk tempted acrosome damage and hyperpolarization of spermatozoa: signaling and ultra-structural evidences. Biol Res 2024; 57:44. [PMID: 38965573 PMCID: PMC11225213 DOI: 10.1186/s40659-024-00517-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exposure of humans and animals to heavy metals is increasing day-by-day; thus, lead even today remains of significant public health concern. According to CDC, blood lead reference value (BLRV) ranges from 3.5 µg/dl to 5 μg/dl in adults. Recently, almost 2.6% decline in male fertility per year has been reported but the cause is not well established. Lead (Pb2+) affects the size of testis, semen quality, and secretory functions of prostate. But the molecular mechanism(s) of lead toxicity in sperm cells is not clear. Thus, present study was undertaken to evaluate the adverse effects of lead acetate at environmentally relevant exposure levels (0.5, 5, 10 and 20 ppm) on functional and molecular dynamics of spermatozoa of bucks following in vitro exposure for 15 min and 3 h. RESULTS Lead significantly decreased motility, viable count, and motion kinematic patterns of spermatozoa like curvilinear velocity, straight-line velocity, average path velocity, beat cross frequency and maximum amplitude of head lateral displacement even at 5 ppm concentration. Pb2+ modulated intracellular cAMP and Ca2+ levels in sperm cells through L-type calcium channels and induced spontaneous or premature acrosome reaction (AR) by increasing tyrosine phosphorylation of sperm proteins and downregulated mitochondrial transmembrane potential. Lead significantly increased DNA damage and apoptosis as well. Electron microscopy studies revealed Pb2+ -induced deleterious effects on plasma membrane of head and acrosome including collapsed cristae in mitochondria. CONCLUSIONS Pb2+ not only mimics Ca2+ but also affects cellular targets involved in generation of cAMP, mitochondrial transmembrane potential, and ionic exchange. Lead seems to interact with Ca2+ channels because of charge similarity and probably enters the sperm cell through these channels and results in hyperpolarization. Our findings also indicate lead-induced TP and intracellular Ca2+ release in spermatozoa which in turn may be responsible for premature acrosome exocytosis which is essential feature of capacitation for fertilization. Thus, lead seems to reduce the fertilizing capacity of spermatozoa even at 0.5 ppm concentrations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rajkumar Singh Yadav
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, U.P. Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Pashu Chikitsa Vigyan Vishwavidyalaya Evam Go Anusandhan Sansthan, Mathura, India
- U.P. Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhayaya Pashu Chikitsa Vigyan Vishwavidyalaya Evam Go Anusandhan Sansthan (DUVASU), Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, 281001, India
| | - Bhawna Kushawaha
- College of Biotechnology, Mathura, India.
- U.P. Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhayaya Pashu Chikitsa Vigyan Vishwavidyalaya Evam Go Anusandhan Sansthan (DUVASU), Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, 281001, India.
- University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Omaha, USA.
| | - Rahul Dhariya
- College of Biotechnology, Mathura, India
- U.P. Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhayaya Pashu Chikitsa Vigyan Vishwavidyalaya Evam Go Anusandhan Sansthan (DUVASU), Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, 281001, India
| | - Dilip Kumar Swain
- Department of Veterinary Physiology, U.P. Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Pashu Chikitsa Vigyan Vishwavidyalaya Evam Go Anusandhan Sansthan, Mathura, India
- U.P. Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhayaya Pashu Chikitsa Vigyan Vishwavidyalaya Evam Go Anusandhan Sansthan (DUVASU), Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, 281001, India
| | - Brijesh Yadav
- Department of Veterinary Physiology, U.P. Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Pashu Chikitsa Vigyan Vishwavidyalaya Evam Go Anusandhan Sansthan, Mathura, India
- U.P. Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhayaya Pashu Chikitsa Vigyan Vishwavidyalaya Evam Go Anusandhan Sansthan (DUVASU), Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, 281001, India
| | - Mukul Anand
- Department of Veterinary Physiology, U.P. Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Pashu Chikitsa Vigyan Vishwavidyalaya Evam Go Anusandhan Sansthan, Mathura, India
- U.P. Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhayaya Pashu Chikitsa Vigyan Vishwavidyalaya Evam Go Anusandhan Sansthan (DUVASU), Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, 281001, India
| | - Priyambada Kumari
- College of Biotechnology, Mathura, India
- U.P. Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhayaya Pashu Chikitsa Vigyan Vishwavidyalaya Evam Go Anusandhan Sansthan (DUVASU), Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, 281001, India
| | | | - Dipty Singh
- ICMR-National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health (NIRRH), Mumbai, India
| | - Sarvajeet Yadav
- Department of Veterinary Physiology, U.P. Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Pashu Chikitsa Vigyan Vishwavidyalaya Evam Go Anusandhan Sansthan, Mathura, India
- U.P. Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhayaya Pashu Chikitsa Vigyan Vishwavidyalaya Evam Go Anusandhan Sansthan (DUVASU), Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, 281001, India
| | - Satish Kumar Garg
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, U.P. Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Pashu Chikitsa Vigyan Vishwavidyalaya Evam Go Anusandhan Sansthan, Mathura, India.
- U.P. Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhayaya Pashu Chikitsa Vigyan Vishwavidyalaya Evam Go Anusandhan Sansthan (DUVASU), Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, 281001, India.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Gholami F, Seyedalipour B, Heidari-Kalvani N, Nabi-Afjadi M, Yaghoubzad-Maleki M, Fathi Z, Alipourfard I, Barjesteh F, Bahreini E. Catharanthine, an anticancer vinca alkaloid: an in silico and in vitro analysis of the autophagic system as the major mechanism of cell death in liver HepG2 cells. NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERG'S ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY 2024:10.1007/s00210-024-03191-8. [PMID: 38856913 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-024-03191-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Catharanthine, a component of the anticancer drug vinblastine along with vindoline, disrupts the cell cycle by interfering with mitotic spindle formation. Apart from their antioxidant properties, vinca alkaloids like catharanthine inhibit phosphodiesterase activity and elevate intracellular cAMP levels. The aim of this study was to investigate how catharantine affects apoptosis and autophagy. This study conducted experiments on HepG2 liver carcinoma cells with varying doses of catharanthine to evaluate cell death rates and viability and determine the IC50 concentration via MTT assays. The apoptotic and autophagic effects of catharanthine were assessed using flow cytometry with annexin V and PI staining, while the expression of autophagy-related genes was analyzed through quantitative PCR. Additionally, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations were employed to further investigate catharanthine's impact on autophagy mechanisms. The study showed that catharanthine reduced oxidative stress and triggered apoptosis in HepG2 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Catharanthine also upregulated the expression of autophagy-related genes like LC3, Beclin1, and ULK1. Notably, catharanthine increased sirtuin-1 levels, a known autophagy inducer, while decreasing Akt expression compared to untreated cells. Molecular docking results indicated rapamycin had a stronger binding affinity with FRB (-10.7 KJ/mol-1) than catharanthine (-7.3 KJ/mol-1). Additionally, molecular dynamics simulations revealed that catharanthine interacted effectively with the FRB domain of mTOR, displaying stability and a strong binding affinity, although not as potent as rapamycin. In summary, besides its cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic effects, catharanthine activates autophagy signaling pathways and induces autophagic necrosis by inhibiting mTOR.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Farnoosh Gholami
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran
| | - Bagher Seyedalipour
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran
| | - Nafiseh Heidari-Kalvani
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohsen Nabi-Afjadi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Yaghoubzad-Maleki
- Division of Biochemistry, Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Zeinab Fathi
- School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Iraj Alipourfard
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Fereshte Barjesteh
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Elham Bahreini
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Chadwick BJ, Lin X. Effects of CO 2 in fungi. Curr Opin Microbiol 2024; 79:102488. [PMID: 38759247 PMCID: PMC11162916 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2024.102488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2024] [Revised: 04/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
Carbon dioxide supplies carbon for photosynthetic species and is a major product of respiration for all life forms. Inside the human body where CO2 is a by-product of the tricarboxylic acid cycle, its level reaches 5% or higher. In the ambient atmosphere, ∼.04% of the air is CO2. Different organisms can tolerate different CO2 levels to various degrees, and experiencing higher CO2 is toxic and can lead to death. The fungal kingdom shows great variations in response to CO2 that has been documented by different researchers at different time periods. This literature review aims to connect these studies, highlight mechanisms underlying tolerance to high levels of CO2, and emphasize the effects of CO2 on fungal metabolism and morphogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Xiaorong Lin
- Department of Microbiology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Morabbi A, Karimian M. Trace and essential elements as vital components to improve the performance of the male reproductive system: Implications in cell signaling pathways. J Trace Elem Med Biol 2024; 83:127403. [PMID: 38340548 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2024.127403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Successful male fertilization requires the main processes such as normal spermatogenesis, sperm capacitation, hyperactivation, and acrosome reaction. The progress of these processes depends on some endogenous and exogenous factors. So, the optimal level of ions and essential and rare elements such as selenium, zinc, copper, iron, manganese, calcium, and so on in various types of cells of the reproductive system could affect conception and male fertility rates. The function of trace elements in the male reproductive system could be exerted through some cellular and molecular processes, such as the management of active oxygen species, involvement in the action of membrane channels, regulation of enzyme activity, regulation of gene expression and hormone levels, and modulation of signaling cascades. In this review, we aim to summarize the available evidence on the role of trace elements in improving male reproductive performance. Also, special attention is paid to the cellular aspects and the involved molecular signaling cascades.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ali Morabbi
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran
| | - Mohammad Karimian
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Lee KH, Hwang JY. Ca 2+ homeostasis and male fertility: a target for a new male contraceptive system. Anim Cells Syst (Seoul) 2024; 28:171-183. [PMID: 38686363 PMCID: PMC11057403 DOI: 10.1080/19768354.2024.2345647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Ca2+ is a key secondary messenger that determines sperm motility patterns. Mammalian sperm undergo capacitation, a process to acquire fertilizing ability, in the female reproductive tract. Capacitated sperm change their flagellar waveform to develop hyperactivated motility, which is crucial for successful sperm navigation to the eggs and fertilization. The sperm-specific channel, CATSPER, and an ATPase transporter, PMCA4, serve as major paths for Ca2+ influx and efflux, respectively, in sperm. The ionic paths coordinate Ca2+ homeostasis in the sperm, and their loss-of-function impairs sperm motility, to cause male infertility. In this review, we summarize the physiological significance of these two Ca2+ gates and suggest their potential applications in novel male contraceptives.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kyung-Ha Lee
- Department of Molecular Biology, Pusan National University, Busan, South Korea
- Institute of Systems Biology, Pusan National University, Busan, South Korea
| | - Jae Yeon Hwang
- Department of Molecular Biology, Pusan National University, Busan, South Korea
- Institute of Systems Biology, Pusan National University, Busan, South Korea
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Yamamoto C, Takahashi F, Suetsugu N, Yamada K, Yoshikawa S, Kohchi T, Kasahara M. The cAMP signaling module regulates sperm motility in the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2322211121. [PMID: 38593080 PMCID: PMC11032487 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2322211121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) is a universal signaling molecule that acts as a second messenger in various organisms. It is well established that cAMP plays essential roles across the tree of life, although the function of cAMP in land plants has long been debated. We previously identified the enzyme with both adenylyl cyclase (AC) and cAMP phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity as the cAMP-synthesis/hydrolysis enzyme COMBINED AC with PDE (CAPE) in the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha. CAPE is conserved in streptophytes that reproduce with motile sperm; however, the precise function of CAPE is not yet known. In this study, we demonstrate that the loss of function of CAPE in M. polymorpha led to male infertility due to impaired sperm flagellar motility. We also found that two genes encoding the regulatory subunits of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA-R) were also involved in sperm motility. Based on these findings, it is evident that CAPE and PKA-Rs act as a cAMP signaling module that regulates sperm motility in M. polymorpha. Therefore, our results have shed light on the function of cAMP signaling and sperm motility regulators in land plants. This study suggests that cAMP signaling plays a common role in plant and animal sperm motility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chiaki Yamamoto
- Department of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu525-8577, Japan
| | - Fumio Takahashi
- Department of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu525-8577, Japan
| | - Noriyuki Suetsugu
- Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo153-8902, Japan
| | - Kazumasa Yamada
- Department of Marine Science and Technology, Faculty of Marine Science and Technology, Fukui Prefectural University, Obama917-0003, Japan
| | - Shinya Yoshikawa
- Department of Marine Science and Technology, Faculty of Marine Science and Technology, Fukui Prefectural University, Obama917-0003, Japan
| | - Takayuki Kohchi
- Division of Integrated Life Science, Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Kyoto606-8502, Japan
| | - Masahiro Kasahara
- Department of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu525-8577, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Spinaci M, Blanco-Prieto O, Ortiz-Rodriguez JM, Bernardini C, Bucci D. Extracellular cAMP and MRP4 activity influence in vitro capacitation and fertilizing ability of pig spermatozoa. Res Vet Sci 2024; 170:105198. [PMID: 38422839 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2024.105198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
cAMP has been reported to be an essential driver of sperm capacitation. In bovine sperm cAMP efflux through multidrug resistance-associated protein 4 (MRP4) has been suggested to maintain intracellular cAMP homeostasis and generate extracellular signaling able to regulate capacitation. The aim of this work was to determine whether extracellular cAMP may influence in vitro pig sperm capacitation and acquisition of fertilizing ability and to evaluate the role of MRP4. In vitro sperm capacitation and gamete coincubation were performed in Brackett and Oliphant's medium (BO) in presence of caffeine (Ctr+) or in BO without caffeine (Ctr-) supplemented with 0, 8, 9, 10 mM cAMP. Despite the percentage of capacitated sperm, assayed by immunolocalization of tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins, was significantly lower in Ctr- compared to Ctr+, it increased supplementing 10 mM cAMP to Ctr- reaching values similar to Ctr+. The absence of caffeine during gamete coincubation reduced the fertilization rate compared to Ctr+, while 10 mM cAMP supplementation to Ctr- increased the fertilization rate reaching values similar to Ctr + . The presence of MRP4 in pig spermatozoa was detected for the first time by western blot and immunohistochemistry assays. To evaluate MRP4 role on pig sperm capacitation, in vitro capacitation and gamete coincubation were performed in Ctr + in presence of MK571, a MRP4 selective inhibitor. MK571 reduced the percentage of capacitated cells and the fertilization rate, while cAMP addition fully reversed MRP4 blockade consequences. Present findings suggest that, under our in vitro conditions, extracellular cAMP and MRP4 activity influence pig sperm capacitating events.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marcella Spinaci
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences (DIMEVET), University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra, 50, 40064 Ozzano dell'Emilia-Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Olga Blanco-Prieto
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences (DIMEVET), University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra, 50, 40064 Ozzano dell'Emilia-Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Jose Manuel Ortiz-Rodriguez
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences (DIMEVET), University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra, 50, 40064 Ozzano dell'Emilia-Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Chiara Bernardini
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences (DIMEVET), University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra, 50, 40064 Ozzano dell'Emilia-Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Diego Bucci
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences (DIMEVET), University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra, 50, 40064 Ozzano dell'Emilia-Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Li HL, Verhoeven A, Elferink RO. The role of soluble adenylyl cyclase in sensing and regulating intracellular pH. Pflugers Arch 2024; 476:457-465. [PMID: 38581526 PMCID: PMC11006738 DOI: 10.1007/s00424-024-02952-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
Soluble adenylyl cyclase (sAC) differs from transmembrane adenylyl cyclases (tmAC) in many aspects. In particular, the activity of sAC is not regulated by G-proteins but by the prevailing bicarbonate concentrations inside cells. Therefore, sAC serves as an exquisite intracellular pH sensor, with the capacity to translate pH changes into the regulation of localization and/or activity of cellular proteins involved in pH homeostasis. In this review, we provide an overview of literature describing the regulation of sAC activity by bicarbonate, pinpointing the importance of compartmentalization of intracellular cAMP signaling cascades. In addition, examples of processes involving proton and bicarbonate transport in different cell types, in which sAC plays an important regulatory role, were described in detail.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hang Lam Li
- Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, Research Institute AGEM, Amsterdam UMC, Meibergdreef 69-71, 1105BK, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Arthur Verhoeven
- Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, Research Institute AGEM, Amsterdam UMC, Meibergdreef 69-71, 1105BK, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Ronald Oude Elferink
- Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, Research Institute AGEM, Amsterdam UMC, Meibergdreef 69-71, 1105BK, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Mohanty G, Sanchez-Cardenas C, Paudel B, Tourzani DA, Salicioni AM, Santi CM, Gervasi MG, Pilsner JR, Darszon A, Visconti PE. Differential role of bovine serum albumin and HCO3- in the regulation of GSK3 alpha during mouse sperm capacitation. Mol Hum Reprod 2024; 30:gaae007. [PMID: 38341666 PMCID: PMC10914453 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaae007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
To become fertile, mammalian sperm are required to undergo capacitation in the female tract or in vitro in defined media containing ions (e.g. HCO3 -, Ca2+, Na+, and Cl-), energy sources (e.g. glucose, pyruvate) and serum albumin (e.g. bovine serum albumin (BSA)). These different molecules initiate sequential and concomitant signaling pathways, leading to capacitation. Physiologically, capacitation induces changes in the sperm motility pattern (e.g. hyperactivation) and prepares sperm for the acrosomal reaction (AR), two events required for fertilization. Molecularly, HCO3 - activates the atypical adenylyl cyclase Adcy10 (aka sAC), increasing cAMP and downstream cAMP-dependent pathways. BSA, on the other hand, induces sperm cholesterol release as well as other signaling pathways. How these signaling events, occurring in different sperm compartments and with different kinetics, coordinate among themselves is not well established. Regarding the AR, recent work has proposed a role for glycogen synthase kinases (GSK3α and GSK3β). GSK3α and GSK3β are inactivated by phosphorylation of residues Ser21 and Ser9, respectively, in their N-terminal domain. Here, we present evidence that GSK3α (but not GSK3β) is present in the anterior head and that it is regulated during capacitation. Interestingly, BSA and HCO3 - regulate GSK3α in opposite directions. While BSA induces a fast GSK3α Ser21 phosphorylation, HCO3 - and cAMP-dependent pathways dephosphorylate this residue. We also show that the HCO3--induced Ser21 dephosphorylation is mediated by hyperpolarization of the sperm plasma membrane potential (Em) and by intracellular pH alkalinization. Previous reports indicate that GSK3 kinases mediate the progesterone-induced AR. Here, we show that GSK3 inhibition also blocks the Ca2+ ionophore ionomycin-induced AR, suggesting a role for GSK3 kinases downstream of the increase in intracellular Ca2+ needed for this exocytotic event. Altogether, our data indicate a temporal and biphasic GSK3α regulation with opposite actions of BSA and HCO3 -. Our results also suggest that this regulation is needed to orchestrate the AR during sperm capacitation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gayatri Mohanty
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Claudia Sanchez-Cardenas
- Departamento de Genética del Desarrollo y Fisiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología, UNAM, Cuernavaca, México
| | - Bidur Paudel
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Darya A Tourzani
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Ana M Salicioni
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Celia M Santi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - María G Gervasi
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
- Department of Animal Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - J Richard Pilsner
- C.S. Mott Center for Human Growth and Development, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
- Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Alberto Darszon
- Departamento de Genética del Desarrollo y Fisiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología, UNAM, Cuernavaca, México
| | - Pablo E Visconti
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Novero AG, Curcio C, Steeman TJ, Binolfi A, Krapf D, Buffone MG, Krapf D, Stival C. A versatile kinase mobility shift assay (KiMSA) for PKA analysis and cyclic AMP detection in sperm physiology (and beyond). Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1356566. [PMID: 38444827 PMCID: PMC10912184 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1356566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
The cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) is one of the most extensively distributed kinases among intracellular signal cascades, with a pivotal role in the regulation of various processes, including the capacitation of sperm cells. Traditional assessments of PKA activity relies on the utilization of [γ-32P] ATP and the Kemptide substrate. This methodology presents several major drawbacks, including high-costs and health risks derived from the manipulation of radioactive isotopes. In this work we introduce an enhanced non-radioactive assay for quantifying PKA activity, termed KiMSA which relies on the use of a fluorescent-labeled Kemptide (Kemptide-FITC). Once the kinase reaction is terminated, the products can be easily resolved through electrophoresis on an agarose gel and quantified by fluorescence densitometry. We show that the KiMSA assay is suitable for purified PKA, and also to address both basal and capacitation induced PKA activity in mouse sperm cells. Furthermore, the assay enables monitoring the inhibition of PKA with inhibitors such as sPKI and H-89 in live cells. Therefore, the experimental and optimal assay conditions are set so that the KiMSA assay can be used to either assess in vitro as well as in vivo PKA activity in sperm cells. Finally, this method allows for measurement of cAMP concentrations, rendering a versatile technique for the study of cAMP/PKA pathways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Analia G. Novero
- Cell Signal Transduction Networks, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR) (CONICET-UNR), Rosario, Argentina
| | - Catalina Curcio
- Cell Signal Transduction Networks, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR) (CONICET-UNR), Rosario, Argentina
| | - Tomás J. Steeman
- Cell Signal Transduction Networks, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR) (CONICET-UNR), Rosario, Argentina
| | - Andres Binolfi
- Cellular-Structural Biology Lab, IBR (CONICET-UNR), Rosario, Argentina
| | - Diego Krapf
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - Mariano G. Buffone
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME-CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Dario Krapf
- Cell Signal Transduction Networks, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR) (CONICET-UNR), Rosario, Argentina
| | - Cintia Stival
- Cell Signal Transduction Networks, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR) (CONICET-UNR), Rosario, Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Moradbeigi P, Hosseini S, Salehi M, Mogheiseh A. Methyl β-Cyclodextrin-sperm-mediated gene editing (MBCD-SMGE): a simple and efficient method for targeted mutant mouse production. Biol Proced Online 2024; 26:3. [PMID: 38279106 PMCID: PMC10811837 DOI: 10.1186/s12575-024-00230-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Generating targeted mutant mice is a crucial technology in biomedical research. This study focuses on optimizing the CRISPR/Cas9 system uptake into sperm cells using the methyl β-cyclodextrin-sperm-mediated gene transfer (MBCD-SMGT) technique to generate targeted mutant blastocysts and mice efficiently. Additionally, the present study elucidates the roles of cholesterol and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the exogenous DNA uptake by sperm. RESULTS In this study, B6D2F1 mouse sperm were incubated in the c-TYH medium with different concentrations of MBCD (0, 0.75, 1, and 2 mM) in the presence of 20 ng/µl pCAG-eCas9-GFP-U6-gRNA (pgRNA-Cas9) for 30 min. Functional parameters, extracellular ROS, and the copy numbers of internalized plasmid per sperm cell were evaluated. Subsequently, in vitro fertilization (IVF) was performed and fertilization rate, early embryonic development, and transfection rate were assessed. Finally, our study investigated the potential of the MBCD-SMGT technique in combination with the CRISPR-Cas9 system, referred to as MBCD-SMGE (MBCD-sperm-mediated gene editing), for generating targeted mutant blastocysts and mice. Results indicated that cholesterol removal from the sperm membrane using MBCD resulted in a premature acrosomal reaction, an increase in extracellular ROS levels, and a dose-dependent influence on the copy numbers of the internalized plasmids per sperm cell. Moreover, the MBCD-SMGT technique led to a larger population of transfected motile sperm and a higher production rate of GFP-positive blastocysts. Additionally, the current study validated the targeted indel in blastocyst and mouse derived from MBCD-SMGE technique. CONCLUSION Overall, this study highlights the significant potential of the MBCD-SMGE technique for generating targeted mutant mice. It holds enormous promise for modeling human diseases and improving desirable traits in animals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Parisa Moradbeigi
- Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, P. O. Box: 7144169155, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Sara Hosseini
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box: 193954717, Tehran, Iran
- Hasti Noavaran Gene Royan Co, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Salehi
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box: 193954717, Tehran, Iran.
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Asghar Mogheiseh
- Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, P. O. Box: 7144169155, Shiraz, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Lykins J, Moschitto MJ, Zhou Y, Filippova EV, Le HV, Tomita T, Fox BA, Bzik DJ, Su C, Rajagopala SV, Flores K, Spano F, Woods S, Roberts CW, Hua C, El Bissati K, Wheeler KM, Dovgin S, Muench SP, McPhillie M, Fishwick CW, Anderson WF, Lee PJ, Hickman M, Weiss LM, Dubey JP, Lorenzi HA, Silverman RB, McLeod RL. From TgO/GABA-AT, GABA, and T-263 Mutant to Conception of Toxoplasma. iScience 2024; 27:108477. [PMID: 38205261 PMCID: PMC10776954 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii causes morbidity, mortality, and disseminates widely via cat sexual stages. Here, we find T. gondii ornithine aminotransferase (OAT) is conserved across phyla. We solve TgO/GABA-AT structures with bound inactivators at 1.55 Å and identify an inactivator selective for TgO/GABA-AT over human OAT and GABA-AT. However, abrogating TgO/GABA-AT genetically does not diminish replication, virulence, cyst-formation, or eliminate cat's oocyst shedding. Increased sporozoite/merozoite TgO/GABA-AT expression led to our study of a mutagenized clone with oocyst formation blocked, arresting after forming male and female gametes, with "Rosetta stone"-like mutations in genes expressed in merozoites. Mutations are similar to those in organisms from plants to mammals, causing defects in conception and zygote formation, affecting merozoite capacitation, pH/ionicity/sodium-GABA concentrations, drawing attention to cyclic AMP/PKA, and genes enhancing energy or substrate formation in TgO/GABA-AT-related-pathways. These candidates potentially influence merozoite's capacity to make gametes that fuse to become zygotes, thereby contaminating environments and causing disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Lykins
- Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Matthew J. Moschitto
- Department of Chemistry, Department of Molecular Biosciences, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Center for Molecular Innovation and Drug Discovery, and Center for Developmental Therapeutics, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208-3113, USA
| | - Ying Zhou
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Ekaterina V. Filippova
- Center for Structural Genomics of Infectious Diseases and the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Hoang V. Le
- Department of Chemistry, Department of Molecular Biosciences, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Center for Molecular Innovation and Drug Discovery, and Center for Developmental Therapeutics, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208-3113, USA
| | - Tadakimi Tomita
- Division of Parasitology, Department of Pathology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Barbara A. Fox
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH 03756, USA
| | - David J. Bzik
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH 03756, USA
| | - Chunlei Su
- Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - Seesandra V. Rajagopala
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The J. Craig Venter Institute, 9704 Medical Center Drive, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Kristin Flores
- Center for Structural Genomics of Infectious Diseases and the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Furio Spano
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Stuart Woods
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow Scotland, UK
| | - Craig W. Roberts
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow Scotland, UK
| | - Cong Hua
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Kamal El Bissati
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Kelsey M. Wheeler
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Sarah Dovgin
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Stephen P. Muench
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, The University of Leeds, Leeds, West York LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Martin McPhillie
- School of Chemistry and Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Colin W.G. Fishwick
- School of Chemistry and Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Wayne F. Anderson
- Center for Structural Genomics of Infectious Diseases and the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Patricia J. Lee
- Division of Experimental Therapeutics, Military Malaria Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, 503 Robert Grant Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA
| | - Mark Hickman
- Division of Experimental Therapeutics, Military Malaria Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, 503 Robert Grant Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA
| | - Louis M. Weiss
- Division of Parasitology, Department of Pathology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Jitender P. Dubey
- Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Hernan A. Lorenzi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The J. Craig Venter Institute, 9704 Medical Center Drive, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Richard B. Silverman
- Department of Chemistry, Department of Molecular Biosciences, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Center for Molecular Innovation and Drug Discovery, and Center for Developmental Therapeutics, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208-3113, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Rima L. McLeod
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Department of Pediatrics (Infectious Diseases), Institute of Genomics, Genetics, and Systems Biology, Global Health Center, Toxoplasmosis Center, CHeSS, The College, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Dudkiewicz S, Peris-Frau P, Nieto-Cristóbal H, Santiago-Moreno J, de Mercado E, Álvarez-Rodríguez M. Bicarbonate and BSA increase the capacitation pattern and acrosomal exocytosis in boar sperm after 120 min of incubation. Reprod Domest Anim 2024; 59:e14505. [PMID: 37964175 DOI: 10.1111/rda.14505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
Sperm capacitation is a crucial step towards the acquisition of fertilizing capacity. Despite the attempts to mimic the in vivo situation, there is still a lack of standardization in vitro techniques. Bicarbonate and serum albumin (BSA) are routinely used, although controversial results are reported regarding the optimal concentration of each compound. In addition, whether caffeine is needed on in vitro capacitation media in boar sperm remains to be elucidated. Here, 18 boar commercial artificial insemination doses were used to test different concentrations of bicarbonate (19, 37 or 56 mM) in experiment 1, BSA (1.5, 3, 4.5 mg/mL) in experiment 2 and the presence or absence of caffeine (5.15 mM) experiment 3. We analysed at 0, 30 and 120 min of incubation at 38.5°C, 5% CO2 : Total motility (TMOT), membrane integrity (VIAB), acrosomal exocytosis (rAcro; H33342/PI/PNA), capacitation status (chlortetracycline staining CTC) and mitochondrial membrane potential (JC-1). The higher concentrations of bicarbonate (37 and 56 mM) decreased TM and VIAB (p < .01) but increased rAcro (p < .01) after 120 min of incubation compared to the fresh control. In contrast, only the BSA concentration of 3 mg/mL reduced the VIAB at 120 min, but all the concentrations tested increased the average of JC-1 and decreased TM (p < .01) throughout incubation compared to the fresh control. Finally, in experiment 3, when boar sperm were incubated in the capacitating media with bicarbonate, BSA and with or without caffeine, the capacitated pattern measured by the CTC technique and rAcro increased after 120 min of incubation (p < .01) compared to fresh control, either in the presence or in the absence of caffeine. In summary, our results suggested that the combination of capacitating components, like bicarbonate and BSA, contributed to increasing the proportion of capacitated boar spermatozoa, mitochondrial membrane potential as well as acrosomal exocytosis. However, caffeine did not significantly influence in vitro sperm capacitation in this species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sylwia Dudkiewicz
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Spanish National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology (INIA-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Patricia Peris-Frau
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Spanish National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology (INIA-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Helena Nieto-Cristóbal
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Spanish National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology (INIA-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Julián Santiago-Moreno
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Spanish National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology (INIA-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Eduardo de Mercado
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Spanish National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology (INIA-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Manuel Álvarez-Rodríguez
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Spanish National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology (INIA-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Habibullah MM. The role of CFTR channel in female infertility. HUM FERTIL 2023; 26:1228-1237. [PMID: 36576330 DOI: 10.1080/14647273.2022.2161427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is a cAMP-activated trans-membrane ATP gated anion channel present in most epithelia, which transports chloride and bicarbonate ions across the apical membrane. Mutations in the CFTR protein are known to result in defective expression or function, notably the inhibition of chloride and bicarbonate transport. This can result in cystic fibrosis (CF), a disorder characterised by thickness of the mucus lining of the epithelial cells of the alimentary and respiratory tracts, sweat ducts and reproductive organs. As a consequence, there is a reduction in fluid transport at the apical surface. While the most devastating effect of CF is mortality, about 98% of men with CF are infertile, consequent of early blockage of or failure to develop the mesonephrotic ducts as well as the vas deferens. The effect of CF of female fertility is less well-understood. This review highlights the genetics and pathophysiology as well as the mechanism of action of CF on female infertility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mahmoud M Habibullah
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Rodríguez-Páez L, Aguirre-Alvarado C, Chamorro-Cevallos G, Veronica AF, Sandra Irel CE, Hugo CP, García-Pérez CA, Jiménez-Gutiérrez GE, Cordero-Martínez J. Polyamines modulate mouse sperm motility. Syst Biol Reprod Med 2023; 69:435-449. [PMID: 37812755 DOI: 10.1080/19396368.2023.2262714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
Polyamines are polycationic molecules which contains two or more amino groups (-NH3+) highly charged at physiological pH, and among them we found spermine, spermidine, putrescine, and cadaverine. They interact with proteins, nucleic acids, modulate Ca2+, K+, and Na+ channels, and protect sperm from oxidative stress. In this work, we evaluate the effect of spermine, spermidine, and putrescine on the total, progressive and kinematic parameters of motility, capacitation, acrosome reaction, also in presence and absence of the dbcAMP, an analogue of the cAMP, and the IBMX, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor. In addition, we evaluated the intracellular concentrations of cAMP [cAMP]i, and performed an in silico analysis between polyamines and the sAC from mouse to predict the possible interaction among them. Our results showed that all polyamines decrease drastically the total, progressive and the kinetic parameters of sperm motility, decrease the capacitation, and only spermidine and putrescine impeded the acquisition of acrosome reaction. Moreover, the effect of polyamines was attenuated but not countered by the addition of db-cAMP and IBMX, suggesting a possible inhibition of the sAC. Also, the presence of polyamines induced a decrease of the [cAMP]i, and the in silico analysis predicted a strong interaction among polyamines and the sAC. Overall, the evidence suggests that probably the polyamines interact and inhibit the activity of the sAC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lorena Rodríguez-Páez
- Laboratorio de Bioquímica Farmacológica, Departamento de Bioquímica, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Charmina Aguirre-Alvarado
- Laboratorio de Bioquímica Farmacológica, Departamento de Bioquímica, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, Mexico
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Inmunología e Infectología, Centro Médico Nacional, La Raza, IMSS, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Germán Chamorro-Cevallos
- Laboratorio de Toxicología Preclínica, Departamento de Farmacia, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Alcántara-Farfán Veronica
- Laboratorio de Bioquímica Farmacológica, Departamento de Bioquímica, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Calderón-Espinosa Sandra Irel
- Laboratorio de Bioquímica Farmacológica, Departamento de Bioquímica, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Castillo-Pérez Hugo
- Laboratorio de Bioquímica Farmacológica, Departamento de Bioquímica, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | | | - Guadalupe Elizabeth Jiménez-Gutiérrez
- Departamento de Genética, Laboratorio de Medicina Genómica, Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación Luis Guillermo Ibarra Ibarra, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Joaquín Cordero-Martínez
- Laboratorio de Bioquímica Farmacológica, Departamento de Bioquímica, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Orlowski J. An ion transporter in sperm that has features of a channel. Nature 2023; 623:38-40. [PMID: 37880527 DOI: 10.1038/d41586-023-03154-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
|
20
|
Mariani NAP, Silva JV, Fardilha M, Silva EJR. Advances in non-hormonal male contraception targeting sperm motility. Hum Reprod Update 2023; 29:545-569. [PMID: 37141450 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmad008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The high rates of unintended pregnancy and the ever-growing world population impose health, economic, social, and environmental threats to countries. Expanding contraceptive options, including male methods, are urgently needed to tackle these global challenges. Male contraception is limited to condoms and vasectomy, which are unsuitable for many couples. Thus, novel male contraceptive methods may reduce unintended pregnancies, meet the contraceptive needs of couples, and foster gender equality in carrying the contraceptive burden. In this regard, the spermatozoon emerges as a source of druggable targets for on-demand, non-hormonal male contraception based on disrupting sperm motility or fertilization. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE A better understanding of the molecules governing sperm motility can lead to innovative approaches toward safe and effective male contraceptives. This review discusses cutting-edge knowledge on sperm-specific targets for male contraception, focusing on those with crucial roles in sperm motility. We also highlight challenges and opportunities in male contraceptive drug development targeting spermatozoa. SEARCH METHODS We conducted a literature search in the PubMed database using the following keywords: 'spermatozoa', 'sperm motility', 'male contraception', and 'drug targets' in combination with other related terms to the field. Publications until January 2023 written in English were considered. OUTCOMES Efforts for developing non-hormonal strategies for male contraception resulted in the identification of candidates specifically expressed or enriched in spermatozoa, including enzymes (PP1γ2, GAPDHS, and sAC), ion channels (CatSper and KSper), transmembrane transporters (sNHE, SLC26A8, and ATP1A4), and surface proteins (EPPIN). These targets are usually located in the sperm flagellum. Their indispensable roles in sperm motility and male fertility were confirmed by genetic or immunological approaches using animal models and gene mutations associated with male infertility due to sperm defects in humans. Their druggability was demonstrated by the identification of drug-like small organic ligands displaying spermiostatic activity in preclinical trials. WIDER IMPLICATIONS A wide range of sperm-associated proteins has arisen as key regulators of sperm motility, providing compelling druggable candidates for male contraception. Nevertheless, no pharmacological agent has reached clinical developmental stages. One reason is the slow progress in translating the preclinical and drug discovery findings into a drug-like candidate adequate for clinical development. Thus, intense collaboration among academia, private sectors, governments, and regulatory agencies will be crucial to combine expertise for the development of male contraceptives targeting sperm function by (i) improving target structural characterization and the design of highly selective ligands, (ii) conducting long-term preclinical safety, efficacy, and reversibility evaluation, and (iii) establishing rigorous guidelines and endpoints for clinical trials and regulatory evaluation, thus allowing their testing in humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Noemia A P Mariani
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Joana V Silva
- Department of Medical Sciences, Institute of Biomedicine (iBiMED), University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
- QOPNA & LAQV, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
- Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine (UMIB), Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Margarida Fardilha
- Department of Medical Sciences, Institute of Biomedicine (iBiMED), University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Erick J R Silva
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Balbach M, Ghanem L, Violante S, Kyaw A, Romarowski A, Cross JR, Visconti PE, Levin LR, Buck J. Capacitation induces changes in metabolic pathways supporting motility of epididymal and ejaculated sperm. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1160154. [PMID: 37440924 PMCID: PMC10335746 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1160154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Mammalian sperm require sufficient energy to support motility and capacitation for successful fertilization. Previous studies cataloging the changes to metabolism in sperm explored ejaculated human sperm or dormant mouse sperm surgically extracted from the cauda epididymis. Due to the differences in methods of collection, it remains unclear whether any observed differences between mouse and human sperm represent species differences or reflect the distinct maturation states of the sperm under study. Here we compare the metabolic changes during capacitation of epididymal versus ejaculated mouse sperm and relate these changes to ejaculated human sperm. Using extracellular flux analysis and targeted metabolic profiling, we show that capacitation-induced changes lead to increased flux through both glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation in mouse and human sperm. Ejaculation leads to greater flexibility in the ability to use different carbon sources. While epididymal sperm are dependent upon glucose, ejaculated mouse and human sperm gain the ability to also leverage non-glycolytic energy sources such as pyruvate and citrate.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Balbach
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Lubna Ghanem
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Sara Violante
- Donald B. and Catherine C. Marron Cancer Metabolism Center, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Aye Kyaw
- Donald B. and Catherine C. Marron Cancer Metabolism Center, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Ana Romarowski
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Science, Integrated Sciences Building, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Justin R. Cross
- Donald B. and Catherine C. Marron Cancer Metabolism Center, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Pablo E. Visconti
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Science, Integrated Sciences Building, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Lonny R. Levin
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Jochen Buck
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Campolo F, Assenza MR, Venneri MA, Barbagallo F. Once upon a Testis: The Tale of Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterase in Testicular Cancers. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24087617. [PMID: 37108780 PMCID: PMC10146088 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087617] [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: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Phosphodiesterases are key regulators that fine tune the intracellular levels of cyclic nucleotides, given their ability to hydrolyze cAMP and cGMP. They are critical regulators of cAMP/cGMP-mediated signaling pathways, modulating their downstream biological effects such as gene expression, cell proliferation, cell-cycle regulation but also inflammation and metabolic function. Recently, mutations in PDE genes have been identified and linked to human genetic diseases and PDEs have been demonstrated to play a potential role in predisposition to several tumors, especially in cAMP-sensitive tissues. This review summarizes the current knowledge and most relevant findings regarding the expression and regulation of PDE families in the testis focusing on PDEs role in testicular cancer development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Federica Campolo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Rita Assenza
- Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, "Kore" University of Enna, 94100 Enna, Italy
| | - Mary Anna Venneri
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Federica Barbagallo
- Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, "Kore" University of Enna, 94100 Enna, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Dalal J, Kumar P, Chandolia RK, Pawaria S, Bala R, Kumar D, Yadav PS. A new role of H89: Reduces capacitation-like changes through inhibition of cholesterol efflux, calcium influx, and proteins tyrosine phosphorylation during sperm cryopreservation in buffalo. Theriogenology 2023; 204:31-39. [PMID: 37040685 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2023.04.001] [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: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2023] [Indexed: 04/13/2023]
Abstract
It is a known fact that cryopreservation initiates premature capacitation in spermatozoa during the cryopreservation process. Protein tyrosine phosphorylation is a landmark of cascade reaction accountable for capacitation or capacitation-like changes in spermatozoa. Therefore, our hypothesis was to test an inhibitor (H89) that reversibly inhibits the cascade reaction responsible for capacitation during the cryopreservation process but does not hamper normal capacitation and fertilizing ability of sperm. For this, sixteen ejaculates were collected from Murrah buffalo bulls (n = 4). Each ejaculate was divided into four equal aliquots and diluted in an egg yolk-based semen dilutor supplemented with 0, 2, 10, and 30 μM concentrations of H89 and cryopreserved. Interestingly, H89 reduces cholesterol efflux from spermatozoa and protects spermatozoa from membrane damage during the cryopreservation process. H89 did not prevent lipid peroxidation of the sperm membrane. H89 reduced intracellular calcium concentration in spermatozoa in a dose-dependent manner, but tyrosine phosphorylation reduction was observed in the 2 and 10 μM H89 groups. The CTC assay revealed that the percentage of uncapacitated spermatozoa in different treatment groups increases in a dose-dependent manner. In the in vitro capacitation medium, the effect of H89 is abolished and spermatozoa underwent normal capacitation, but H89-treated spermatozoa attached to zona pellucida in large numbers compared to untreated spermatozoa. In conclusion, H89 does not only inhibit tyrosine phosphorylation of spermatozoa but it reduces cholesterol efflux and calcium influx, and ultimately reduces capacitation-like changes during the cryopreservation process.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jasmer Dalal
- Animal Physiology and Reproduction Division, ICAR- Central Institute for Research on Buffaloes, Hisar, 125001, Haryana, India; Department of Veterinary Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Hisar, 125001, Haryana, India
| | - Pradeep Kumar
- Animal Physiology and Reproduction Division, ICAR- Central Institute for Research on Buffaloes, Hisar, 125001, Haryana, India.
| | - R K Chandolia
- Department of Veterinary Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Hisar, 125001, Haryana, India
| | - Shikha Pawaria
- Animal Physiology and Reproduction Division, ICAR- Central Institute for Research on Buffaloes, Hisar, 125001, Haryana, India
| | - Renu Bala
- Animal Physiology and Reproduction Division, ICAR- Central Institute for Research on Buffaloes, Hisar, 125001, Haryana, India
| | - Dharmendra Kumar
- Animal Physiology and Reproduction Division, ICAR- Central Institute for Research on Buffaloes, Hisar, 125001, Haryana, India
| | - P S Yadav
- Animal Physiology and Reproduction Division, ICAR- Central Institute for Research on Buffaloes, Hisar, 125001, Haryana, India
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Wang W, Guo L, Jiang B, Yan B, Li Y, Ye X, Yang Y, Liu S, Shao Z, Diao H. Role of the Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3-Cyclic AMP/Protein Kinase A in the Immobilization of Human Sperm by Tideglusib. Reprod Sci 2023; 30:1281-1290. [PMID: 36207578 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-022-01086-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 10/10/2022]
Abstract
Tideglusib is considered to be a promising alternative to nonyl alcohol-9 contraceptives. Previous studies have demonstrated that the rapid spermicidal effect of tideglusib at a high concentration (≥ 10 μM) may occur through detergent-like activity; however, the effect of low concentrations of tideglusib (< 5 μM) on sperm is unknown. We explored the intracellular mechanism of tideglusib (< 5 μM) on the immobilization of human sperm by exploring related signaling pathways in human sperm. After treatment with tideglusib (1.25 μM) for 2 h, sperm motility rate decreased to 0, while sperm membrane integrity rate was 70%. Protein tyrosine phosphorylation level and intracellular cyclic adenosine 3,5-monophosphate (cAMP) concentration decreased significantly compared to those in the control group. Isobutylmethylxanthine and 8-Bromo-cAMP relieved the inhibition of spermatozoa tyrosine phosphorylation, while tyrosine phosphorylation of sperm protein in the H89 and CALP1 treatment groups was significantly inhibited, and there was no difference in the tideglusib treatment group. H-89 and CALP1 reduced the level of serine phosphorylation of GSK-3α/β (Ser21/9), while its level was enhanced by IBMX and 8-Bromo-cAMP. Our results show the existence of the GSK3-cAMP/PKA regulatory loop in human sperm, which may mediate the immobilization effect of tideglusib at low of concentrations (e.g., 1.25 μM) on sperm motility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Weiwei Wang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Lina Guo
- NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Bingbing Jiang
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Bin Yan
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yuhua Li
- NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Xin Ye
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Yiting Yang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Suying Liu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Zhiyu Shao
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China.
| | - Hua Diao
- NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
The SLC9C2 Gene Product (Na+/H+ Exchanger Isoform 11; NHE11) Is a Testis-Specific Protein Localized to the Head of Mature Mammalian Sperm. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065329. [PMID: 36982403 PMCID: PMC10049371 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Na+/H+ exchangers (NHEs) are a family of ion transporters that regulate the pH of various cell compartments across an array of cell types. In eukaryotes, NHEs are encoded by the SLC9 gene family comprising 13 genes. SLC9C2, which encodes the NHE11 protein, is the only one of the SLC9 genes that is essentially uncharacterized. Here, we show that SLC9C2 exhibits testis/sperm-restricted expression in rats and humans, akin to its paralog SLC9C1 (NHE10). Similar to NHE10, NHE11 is predicted to contain an NHE domain, a voltage sensing domain, and finally an intracellular cyclic nucleotide binding domain. An immunofluorescence analysis of testis sections reveals that NHE11 localizes with developing acrosomal granules in spermiogenic cells in both rat and human testes. Most interestingly, NHE11 localizes to the sperm head, likely the plasma membrane overlaying the acrosome, in mature sperm from rats and humans. Therefore, NHE11 is the only known NHE to localize to the acrosomal region of the head in mature sperm cells. The physiological role of NHE11 has yet to be demonstrated but its predicted functional domains and unique localization suggests that it could modulate intracellular pH of the sperm head in response to changes in membrane potential and cyclic nucleotide concentrations that are a result of sperm capacitation events. If NHE11 is shown to be important for male fertility, it will be an attractive target for male contraceptive drugs due to its exclusive testis/sperm-specific expression.
Collapse
|
26
|
Wang Y, Gao T, Shan L, Li K, Liang F, Yu J, Ni Y, Sun P. Iberiotoxin and clofilium regulate hyperactivation, acrosome reaction, and ion homeostasis synergistically during human sperm capacitation. Mol Reprod Dev 2023; 90:129-140. [PMID: 36682071 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2022] [Revised: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Potassium channels play essential roles in the regulation of male fertility. However, potassium channels mediating K+ currents in human sperm (IKSper ) remain controversial. Besides SLO3, the SLO1 potassium channel is a potential candidate for human sperm KSper. This study intends to elucidate the function of SLO1 potassium channel during human sperm capacitation. Human sperm were treated with iberiotoxin (IbTX, a SLO1 specific inhibitor) and clofilium (SLO3 inhibitor) separately or simultaneously during in vitro capacitation. A computer-assisted sperm analyzer was used to assess sperm motility. The sperm acrosome reaction (AR) was analyzed using fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated Pisum sativum agglutinin staining. Sperm protein tyrosine phosphorylation was studied using western blotting. Intracellular Ca2+ , K+ , Cl- , and pH were analyzed using ion fluorescence probes. Independent inhibition with IbTX or clofilium decreased the sperm hyperactivation, AR, and protein tyrosine phosphorylation, and was accompanied by an increase in [K+ ]i , [Cl- ]i , and pHi , but a decrease in [Ca2+ ]i . Simultaneously inhibition with IbTX and clofilium lower sperm hyperactivation and AR more than independent inhibition. The increase in [K+ ]i , [Cl- ]i , and pHi , and the decrease in [Ca2+ ]i were more pronounced. This study suggested that the SLO1 potassium channel may have synergic roles with SLO3 during human sperm capacitation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yayan Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Lishui People's Hospital, Lishui, Zhejiang, China
| | - Tian Gao
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Lijun Shan
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Kun Li
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Laboratory of Experimental Animal's & Nonclinical Laboratory Studies, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Fei Liang
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Laboratory of Experimental Animal's & Nonclinical Laboratory Studies, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jianmin Yu
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Laboratory of Experimental Animal's & Nonclinical Laboratory Studies, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ya Ni
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Laboratory of Experimental Animal's & Nonclinical Laboratory Studies, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Peibei Sun
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Laboratory of Experimental Animal's & Nonclinical Laboratory Studies, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Supplementation of Schisandrin B in Semen Extender Improves Quality and Oxidation Resistance of Boar Spermatozoa Stored at 4 °C. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13050848. [PMID: 36899705 PMCID: PMC10000210 DOI: 10.3390/ani13050848] [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: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023] Open
Abstract
During cold storage, boar spermatozoa undergo oxidative stress, which can impair sperm function and fertilizing capacity. The objective of the present study was to assess the effects of Schisandrin B (Sch B) in semen extenders on the quality of boar semen stored at hypothermia. Semen was collected from twelve Duroc boars and diluted in extenders supplemented with different concentrations of Sch B (0 μmol/L, 2.5 μmol/L, 5 μmol/L, 10 μmol/L, 20 μmol/L, and 40 μmol/L). Here, we demonstrated that 10 μmol/L Sch B provided the best effects on motility, plasma membrane integrity, acrosome integrity, sperm normality rate, average movement velocity, wobbility, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and DNA integrity of sperm. The results of Sch B effects on antioxidant factors in boar sperm showed that Sch B significantly elevated the total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and markedly decreased the reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) content of sperm. The expression of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) mRNA was increased, while the expression of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) mRNA demonstrated no change compared to non-treated boar sperm. Compared to the non-treated group, Sch B triggered a decrease in Ca2+/protein kinase A (PKA) and lactic acid content in boar sperm. Similarly, Sch B led to a statistically higher quantitative expression of AWN mRNA and a lower quantitative expression of porcine seminal protein I (PSP-I) and porcine seminal protein II (PSP-II) mRNA. In a further reverse validation test, no significant difference was observed in any of the parameters, including adhesion protein mRNA, calcium content, lactic acid content, PKA, and protein kinase G (PKG) activity after sperm capacitation. In conclusion, the current study indicates the efficient use of Sch B with a 10 μmol/L concentration in the treatment of boar sperm through its anti-apoptosis, antioxidative, and decapacitative mechanisms, suggesting that Sch B is a novel candidate for improving antioxidation and decapacitation factors in sperm in liquid at 4 °C.
Collapse
|
28
|
Balbach M, Rossetti T, Ferreira J, Ghanem L, Ritagliati C, Myers RW, Huggins DJ, Steegborn C, Miranda IC, Meinke PT, Buck J, Levin LR. On-demand male contraception via acute inhibition of soluble adenylyl cyclase. Nat Commun 2023; 14:637. [PMID: 36788210 PMCID: PMC9929232 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36119-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Nearly half of all pregnancies are unintended; thus, existing family planning options are inadequate. For men, the only choices are condoms and vasectomy, and most current efforts to develop new contraceptives for men impact sperm development, meaning that contraception requires months of continuous pretreatment. Here, we provide proof-of-concept for an innovative strategy for on-demand contraception, where a man would take a birth control pill shortly before sex, only as needed. Soluble adenylyl cyclase (sAC) is essential for sperm motility and maturation. We show a single dose of a safe, acutely-acting sAC inhibitor with long residence time renders male mice temporarily infertile. Mice exhibit normal mating behavior, and full fertility returns the next day. These studies define sAC inhibitors as leads for on-demand contraceptives for men, and they provide in vivo proof-of-concept for previously untested paradigms in contraception; on-demand contraception after just a single dose and pharmacological contraception for men.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Balbach
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Thomas Rossetti
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jacob Ferreira
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lubna Ghanem
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Carla Ritagliati
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Robert W Myers
- Tri-Institutional Therapeutics Discovery Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - David J Huggins
- Tri-Institutional Therapeutics Discovery Institute, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Clemens Steegborn
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Ileana C Miranda
- Laboratory of Comparative Pathology, Weill Cornell Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Peter T Meinke
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA.,Tri-Institutional Therapeutics Discovery Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jochen Buck
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Lonny R Levin
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Inhibition of Mitochondrial Uncoupling Proteins Arrests Human Spermatozoa Motility without Compromising Viability. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:antiox12020409. [PMID: 36829970 PMCID: PMC9952840 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12020409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Mitochondrial uncoupling proteins (UCPs) are central in the regulation of mitochondrial activity and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. High oxidative stress is a major cause of male infertility; however, UCPs expression and function in human spermatozoa are still unknown. Herein, we aimed to assess the expression and function of the different homologs (UCP1-6) in human spermatozoa. For this purpose, we screened for the mRNA expression of all UCP homologs. Protein expression and immunolocalization of UCP1, UCP2, and UCP3 were also assessed. Highly motile spermatozoa were isolated from human normozoospermic seminal samples (n = 16) and incubated with genipin, an inhibitor of UCPs (0, 0.5, 5, and 50 µM) for 3 h at 37 °C. Viability and total motility were assessed. Mitochondrial membrane potential and ROS production were evaluated. Media were collected and the metabolic profile and antioxidant potential were analyzed by 1H-NMR and FRAP, respectively. The expression of all UCP homologs (UCP1-6) mRNA by human spermatozoa is herein reported for the first time. UCP1-3 are predominant at the head equatorial segment, whereas UCP1 and UCP2 are also expressed at the spermatozoa midpiece, where mitochondria are located. The inhibition of UCPs by 50 µM genipin, resulting in the UCP3 inhibition, did not compromise sperm cell viability but resulted in irreversible total motility loss that persisted despite washing or incubation with theophylline, a cAMP activator. These effects were associated with decreased mitochondrial membrane potential and lactate production. No differences concerning UCP3 expression, however, were observed in spermatozoa from normozoospermic versus asthenozoospermic men (n = 6). The inhibition of UCPs did not increase ROS production, possibly due to the decreased mitochondrial activity and genipin antioxidant properties. In sum, UCPs are major regulators of human spermatozoa motility and metabolism. The discovery and characterization of UCPs' role in human spermatozoa can shed new light on spermatozoa ROS-related pathways and bioenergetics physiology.
Collapse
|
30
|
Ferreira AF, Santiago J, Silva JV, Oliveira PF, Fardilha M. PP1, PP2A and PP2B Interplay in the Regulation of Sperm Motility: Lessons from Protein Phosphatase Inhibitors. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232315235. [PMID: 36499559 PMCID: PMC9737803 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232315235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Male fertility relies on the ability of spermatozoa to fertilize the egg in the female reproductive tract (FRT). Spermatozoa acquire activated motility during epididymal maturation; however, to be capable of fertilization, they must achieve hyperactivated motility in the FRT. Extensive research found that three protein phosphatases (PPs) are crucial to sperm motility regulation, the sperm-specific protein phosphatase type 1 (PP1) isoform gamma 2 (PP1γ2), protein phosphatase type 2A (PP2A) and protein phosphatase type 2B (PP2B). Studies have reported that PP activity decreases during epididymal maturation, whereas protein kinase activity increases, which appears to be a requirement for motility acquisition. An interplay between these PPs has been extensively investigated; however, many specific interactions and some inconsistencies remain to be elucidated. The study of PPs significantly advanced following the identification of naturally occurring toxins, including calyculin A, okadaic acid, cyclosporin, endothall and deltamethrin, which are powerful and specific PP inhibitors. This review aims to overview the protein phosphorylation-dependent biochemical pathways underlying sperm motility acquisition and hyperactivation, followed by a discussion of the PP inhibitors that allowed advances in the current knowledge of these pathways. Since male infertility cases still attain alarming numbers, additional research on the topic is required, particularly using other PP inhibitors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ana F. Ferreira
- Laboratory of Signal Transduction, Institute for Biomedicine-iBiMED, Medical Sciences Department, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Joana Santiago
- Laboratory of Signal Transduction, Institute for Biomedicine-iBiMED, Medical Sciences Department, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Joana V. Silva
- Laboratory of Signal Transduction, Institute for Biomedicine-iBiMED, Medical Sciences Department, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Pedro F. Oliveira
- QOPNA & LAQV, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Margarida Fardilha
- Laboratory of Signal Transduction, Institute for Biomedicine-iBiMED, Medical Sciences Department, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +351-918-143-947
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Miller M, Rossetti T, Ferreira J, Ghanem L, Balbach M, Kaur N, Levin LR, Buck J, Kehr M, Coquille S, van den Heuvel J, Steegborn C, Fushimi M, Finkin-Groner E, Myers RW, Kargman S, Liverton NJ, Huggins DJ, Meinke PT. Design, Synthesis, and Pharmacological Evaluation of Second-Generation Soluble Adenylyl Cyclase (sAC, ADCY10) Inhibitors with Slow Dissociation Rates. J Med Chem 2022; 65:15208-15226. [PMID: 36346696 PMCID: PMC9866367 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Soluble adenylyl cyclase (sAC: ADCY10) is an enzyme involved in intracellular signaling. Inhibition of sAC has potential therapeutic utility in a number of areas. For example, sAC is integral to successful male fertility: sAC activation is required for sperm motility and ability to undergo the acrosome reaction, two processes central to oocyte fertilization. Pharmacologic evaluation of existing sAC inhibitors for utility as on-demand, nonhormonal male contraceptives suggested that both high intrinsic potency, fast on and slow dissociation rates are essential design elements for successful male contraceptive applications. During the course of the medicinal chemistry campaign described here, we identified sAC inhibitors that fulfill these criteria and are suitable for in vivo evaluation of diverse sAC pharmacology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Miller
- Tri-Institutional Therapeutics Discovery Institute, New York, New York 10021, United States
| | - Thomas Rossetti
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York 10021, United States
| | - Jacob Ferreira
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York 10021, United States
| | - Lubna Ghanem
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York 10021, United States
| | - Melanie Balbach
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York 10021, United States
| | - Navpreet Kaur
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York 10021, United States
| | - Lonny R. Levin
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York 10021, United States
| | - Jochen Buck
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York 10021, United States
| | - Maria Kehr
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Bayreuth, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Sandrine Coquille
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Bayreuth, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Joop van den Heuvel
- Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Recombinant Protein Expression, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Clemens Steegborn
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Bayreuth, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Makoto Fushimi
- Tri-Institutional Therapeutics Discovery Institute, New York, New York 10021, United States
| | - Efrat Finkin-Groner
- Tri-Institutional Therapeutics Discovery Institute, New York, New York 10021, United States
| | - Robert W. Myers
- Tri-Institutional Therapeutics Discovery Institute, New York, New York 10021, United States
| | - Stacia Kargman
- Tri-Institutional Therapeutics Discovery Institute, New York, New York 10021, United States
| | - Nigel J. Liverton
- Tri-Institutional Therapeutics Discovery Institute, New York, New York 10021, United States
| | - David J. Huggins
- Tri-Institutional Therapeutics Discovery Institute, New York, New York 10021, United States; Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York 10021, United States
| | - Peter T. Meinke
- Tri-Institutional Therapeutics Discovery Institute, New York, New York 10021, United States; Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York 10021, United States
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Cordero-Martínez J, Jimenez-Gutierrez GE, Aguirre-Alvarado C, Alacántara-Farfán V, Chamorro-Cevallos G, Roa-Espitia AL, Hernández-González EO, Rodríguez-Páez L. Participation of signaling proteins in sperm hyperactivation. Syst Biol Reprod Med 2022; 68:315-330. [DOI: 10.1080/19396368.2022.2122761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Joaquín Cordero-Martínez
- Laboratorio de Bioquímica Farmacológica, Departamento de Bioquímica, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | | | - Charmina Aguirre-Alvarado
- Laboratorio de Bioquímica Farmacológica, Departamento de Bioquímica, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, Mexico
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Inmunología e Infectología Centro Médico Nacional La Raza, IMSS, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Verónica Alacántara-Farfán
- Laboratorio de Bioquímica Farmacológica, Departamento de Bioquímica, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Germán Chamorro-Cevallos
- Laboratorio de Toxicología Preclínica Departamento de Farmacia Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Ana L. Roa-Espitia
- Departamento de Biología Celular Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, México City, Mexico
| | - Enrique O. Hernández-González
- Departamento de Biología Celular Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, México City, Mexico
| | - Lorena Rodríguez-Páez
- Laboratorio de Bioquímica Farmacológica, Departamento de Bioquímica, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Maitan P, Bromfield EG, Stout TAE, Gadella BM, Leemans B. A stallion spermatozoon's journey through the mare's genital tract: In vivo and in vitro aspects of sperm capacitation. Anim Reprod Sci 2022; 246:106848. [PMID: 34556396 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2021.106848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Conventional in vitro fertilization is not efficacious when working with equine gametes. Although stallion spermatozoa bind to the zona pellucida in vitro, these gametes fail to initiate the acrosome reaction in the vicinity of the oocyte and cannot, therefore, penetrate into the perivitelline space. Failure of sperm penetration most likely relates to the absence of optimized in vitro fertilization media containing molecules essential to support stallion sperm capacitation. In vivo, the female reproductive tract, especially the oviductal lumen, provides an environmental milieu that appropriately regulates interactions between the gametes and promotes fertilization. Identifying these 'fertilization supporting factors' would be a great contribution for development of equine in vitro fertilization media. In this review, a description of the current understanding of the interactions stallion spermatozoa undergo during passage through the female genital tract, and related specific molecular changes that occur at the sperm plasma membrane is provided. Understanding these molecular changes may hold essential clues to achieving successful in vitro fertilization with equine gametes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paula Maitan
- Departments of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 112, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands; Department of Veterinary Sciences, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, Brazil
| | - Elizabeth G Bromfield
- Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, The Netherlands; Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, College of Engineering, Science and Environment, University of Newcastle, Australia
| | - Tom A E Stout
- Departments of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 112, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Bart M Gadella
- Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, The Netherlands; Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, The Netherlands
| | - Bart Leemans
- Departments of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 112, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Assessment of sperm motility in livestock: Perspectives based on sperm swimming conditions in vivo. Anim Reprod Sci 2022; 246:106849. [PMID: 34556397 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2021.106849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Evaluation of sperm motility is well-established in farm animals for quickly selecting ejaculates for semen processing into insemination doses and for evaluating the quality of preserved semen. Likewise, sperm motility is a fundamental parameter used by spermatologists in basic and applied science. Motility is commonly assessed using computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA). Recent increases in computational power, as well as utilization of mobile CASA systems and open-source CASA programs, broaden the possibilities for motility evaluation. Despite this technological progress, the potential of computer-generated motility data to assess male fertility remains challenging and may be limited. Relevance for fertility assessment could be improved if measurement conditions would more closely mimic the in vivo situation. Hence, this review is focused on the current trends of automated semen assessment in livestock and explores perspectives for future use with respect to the physiological and physical conditions encountered by sperm in the female reproductive tract. Validation of current CASA systems with more complex, microfluidic-based devices mimicking the female reproductive tract environment could improve the value of sperm kinematic data for assessing the fertilizing capacity of semen samples, not only for application in livestock but also for use in conducting assisted reproduction techniques in other species.
Collapse
|
35
|
Shen L, Yu C, Wu Y, Jiang Y, Sun Y, Yao J, Chen K, Hong Y. Transcriptomic landscape of GC-2spd(ts) cell in response to the downregulation of piR-1207/2107. Andrologia 2022; 54:e14522. [PMID: 35791046 DOI: 10.1111/and.14522] [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: 01/28/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is a highly orchestrated dynamic developmental process, during which piRNAs play an indispensable role. Our previous studies have confirmed that the levels of piR-1207 and piR-2107 were significantly decreased in spermatozoa and seminal plasma of patients with asthenozoospermia, compared with the fertile controls. In order to explore the function of piR-1207 and piR-2107 in human spermatogenesis and their potential regulatory downstream genes, we examined the transcriptomic landscape in mouse spermatocyte cell line GC-2spd(ts) transfected with anti-piR-1207 and anti-piR-2107 by RNA sequencing. The result showed that 86 and 75 differential expression genes (DEGs) in anti-piR-1207 and anti-piR-2107 group, respectively. Among the DEGs, three genes including Pbp2, Pde3a and Cage1 were identified as potential key genes playing important roles in mediating sperm motility and morphology in anti-piR-1207 or anti-piR-2107 transfected transcriptomic response. Next, the expression levels of Pbp2, Pde3a and Cage1 were confirmed by qRT-PCR. These results showed that Pbp2, Pde3a and Cage1 may serve as the potential regulatory genes of piR-1207 or piR-2107. In summary, piR-1207 and piR-2107 might have an implication in modulating the process of spermatogenesis through regulating the expression of potential genes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lu Shen
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Bioengineering, Hangzhou Medical College, Zhejiang, Hangzhou, China.,School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Chong Yu
- Urology & Nephrology Center, Department of Urology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yanqian Wu
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Bioengineering, Hangzhou Medical College, Zhejiang, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ying Jiang
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Bioengineering, Hangzhou Medical College, Zhejiang, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yue Sun
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jiayao Yao
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Bioengineering, Hangzhou Medical College, Zhejiang, Hangzhou, China
| | - Keer Chen
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Bioengineering, Hangzhou Medical College, Zhejiang, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yeting Hong
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Bioengineering, Hangzhou Medical College, Zhejiang, Hangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Çakır Gündoğdu A, Take Kaplanoğlu G, Ören S, Baykal B, Korkmaz C, Gümüşlü S, Karabacak RO. Impact of 5'-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) on Epithelial Sodium Channels (ENaCs) in human sperm. Tissue Cell 2022; 78:101896. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tice.2022.101896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
|
37
|
Rossetti T, Ferreira J, Ghanem L, Buck H, Steegborn C, Myers RW, Meinke PT, Levin LR, Buck J. Assessing potency and binding kinetics of soluble adenylyl cyclase (sAC) inhibitors to maximize therapeutic potential. Front Physiol 2022; 13:1013845. [PMID: 36246105 PMCID: PMC9554468 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.1013845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In mammalian cells, 10 different adenylyl cyclases produce the ubiquitous second messenger, cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). Amongst these cAMP-generating enzymes, bicarbonate (HCO3 -)-regulated soluble adenylyl cyclase (sAC; ADCY10) is uniquely essential in sperm for reproduction. For this reason, sAC has been proposed as a potential therapeutic target for non-hormonal contraceptives for men. Here, we describe key sAC-focused in vitro assays to identify and characterize sAC inhibitors for therapeutic use. The affinity and binding kinetics of an inhibitor can greatly influence in vivo efficacy, therefore, we developed improved assays for assessing these efficacy defining features.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Rossetti
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Jacob Ferreira
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Lubna Ghanem
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Hannes Buck
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Clemens Steegborn
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Robert W. Myers
- Tri-Institutional Therapeutics Discovery Institute, New York, NY, United States
| | - Peter T. Meinke
- Tri-Institutional Therapeutics Discovery Institute, New York, NY, United States
| | - Lonny R. Levin
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Jochen Buck
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Ferreira J, Levin LR, Buck J. Strategies to safely target widely expressed soluble adenylyl cyclase for contraception. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:953903. [PMID: 36091839 PMCID: PMC9452739 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.953903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In humans, the prototypical second messenger cyclic AMP is produced by 10 adenylyl cyclase isoforms, which are divided into two classes. Nine isoforms are G protein coupled transmembrane adenylyl cyclases (tmACs; ADCY1-9) and the 10th is the bicarbonate regulated soluble adenylyl cyclase (sAC; ADCY10). This review details why sAC is uniquely druggable and outlines ways to target sAC for novel forms of male and female contraception.
Collapse
|
39
|
Satish M, Sandhya K, Nitin K, Yashas Kiran N, Aleena B, Satish Kumar A, Guruprasad K, Rajakumara E. Computational, biochemical and ex vivo evaluation of xanthine derivatives against phosphodiesterases to enhance the sperm motility. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2022:1-11. [PMID: 35696450 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2022.2085802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Enhancing sperm motility in vitro has immensely benefited assisted conception methods. Phosphodiesterases (PDE) break the second messenger cAMP, and therefore, inhibition of their catalytic activity enhances the sperm motility through maintaining cAMP homeostasis in sperm. In view of identifying the molecules that could inhibit PDE functioning in spermatozoa, we aimed to evaluate the phosphodiesterase inhibitors (PDEI) - xanthine derivatives - acefylline, dyphylline and proxyphylline to repurpose them for assisted reproductive technology. These are available in the market as pharmaceutical agents to treat mainly respiratory system diseases. Based on the structure guided in silico studies, we predicted that these molecules bind to the cAMP binding catalytic pocket of PDE enzymes, and further molecular dynamics simulation analysis indicated that these molecules form the stable complexes. Isothermal titration calorimetry studies revealed that acefylline has better affinity towards PDE4A, PDE4D and PDE10A, when compared to dyphylline and proxyphylline. In addition, ex vivo studies corroborated in vitro binding studies that acefylline has much superior sperm motility enhancement property on human ejaculated spermatozoa and mouse testicular spermatozoa compared to dyphylline and proxyphylline.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mutyala Satish
- Macromolecular Structural Biology Lab, Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Sangareddy, India
| | - Kumari Sandhya
- Division of Reproductive Biology, Department of Reproductive Science, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
| | - Kulhar Nitin
- Macromolecular Structural Biology Lab, Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Sangareddy, India
| | - Ninjoor Yashas Kiran
- Division of Clinical Embryology, Department of Reproductive Science, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
| | - Babu Aleena
- Division of Reproductive Biology, Department of Reproductive Science, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
| | - Adiga Satish Kumar
- Division of Clinical Embryology, Department of Reproductive Science, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
| | - Kalthur Guruprasad
- Division of Reproductive Biology, Department of Reproductive Science, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
| | - Eerappa Rajakumara
- Macromolecular Structural Biology Lab, Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Sangareddy, India
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Delgado-Bermúdez A, Yeste M, Bonet S, Pinart E. A Review on the Role of Bicarbonate and Proton Transporters during Sperm Capacitation in Mammals. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23116333. [PMID: 35683013 PMCID: PMC9180951 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23116333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Alkalinization of sperm cytosol is essential for plasma membrane hyperpolarization, hyperactivation of motility, and acrosomal exocytosis during sperm capacitation in mammals. The plasma membrane of sperm cells contains different ion channels implicated in the increase of internal pH (pHi) by favoring either bicarbonate entrance or proton efflux. Bicarbonate transporters belong to the solute carrier families 4 (SLC4) and 26 (SLC26) and are currently grouped into Na+/HCO3− transporters and Cl−/HCO3− exchangers. Na+/HCO3− transporters are reported to be essential for the initial and fast entrance of HCO3− that triggers sperm capacitation, whereas Cl−/HCO3− exchangers are responsible for the sustained HCO3− entrance which orchestrates the sequence of changes associated with sperm capacitation. Proton efflux is required for the fast alkalinization of capacitated sperm cells and the activation of pH-dependent proteins; according to the species, this transport can be mediated by Na+/H+ exchangers (NHE) belonging to the SLC9 family and/or voltage-gated proton channels (HVCN1). Herein, we discuss the involvement of each of these channels in sperm capacitation and the acrosome reaction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ariadna Delgado-Bermúdez
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, ES-17003 Girona, Spain; (A.D.-B.); (M.Y.); (S.B.)
- Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, ES-17003 Girona, Spain
| | - Marc Yeste
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, ES-17003 Girona, Spain; (A.D.-B.); (M.Y.); (S.B.)
- Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, ES-17003 Girona, Spain
- Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA), ES-08010 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sergi Bonet
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, ES-17003 Girona, Spain; (A.D.-B.); (M.Y.); (S.B.)
- Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, ES-17003 Girona, Spain
| | - Elisabeth Pinart
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, ES-17003 Girona, Spain; (A.D.-B.); (M.Y.); (S.B.)
- Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, ES-17003 Girona, Spain
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-972-419-514
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Kang W, Katano D, Kawano N, Miyado M, Miyado K. Extra-mitochondrial citrate synthase controls cAMP-dependent pathway during sperm acrosome reaction in mice. MICROPUBLICATION BIOLOGY 2022; 2022:10.17912/micropub.biology.000579. [PMID: 35663411 PMCID: PMC9160978 DOI: 10.17912/micropub.biology.000579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The sperm consumes adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to maintain the cellular function, viability, acrosome reaction (AR), and motility. Extra-mitochondrial citrate synthase (eCS) catalyzes citrate production in the sperm head, and thus regulates sperm function through ATP synthesis, similarly to CS. This study aimed to investigate how eCS regulates AR. Herein, acrosome-reacted (ARed) sperms were rarely detected on the zona pellucida, and spontaneous ARed sperm in eCs -deficient (KO) sperm remained at low levels even with induced capacitation. Retarded AR of eCs -KO sperm was enhanced by cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) treatment. In conclusion, eCS regulates AR via a cAMP-dependent pathway, which presumably contributes to sperm metabolism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Woojin Kang
- Department of Reproductive Biology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, 2-10-1 Okura, Setagaya, Tokyo 157-8535, Japan
,
Correspondence to: Woojin Kang (
)
| | - Daiki Katano
- Department of Reproductive Biology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, 2-10-1 Okura, Setagaya, Tokyo 157-8535, Japan
,
Department of Life Sciences, School of Agriculture, Meiji University, 1-1-1 Higashi-Mita, Kawasaki, Kanagawa 214-8571, Japan
| | - Natsuko Kawano
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Agriculture, Meiji University, 1-1-1 Higashi-Mita, Kawasaki, Kanagawa 214-8571, Japan
| | - Mami Miyado
- Department of Food and Nutrition, Beppu University, 82 Kita-Ishigaki, Beppu, Oita 874-8501, Japan
,
Department of Molecular Endocrinology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, 2-10-1 Okura, Setagaya, Tokyo 157-8535, Japan
| | - Kenji Miyado
- Department of Reproductive Biology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, 2-10-1 Okura, Setagaya, Tokyo 157-8535, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Hyperactivation is sufficient to release porcine sperm from immobilized oviduct glycans. Sci Rep 2022; 12:6446. [PMID: 35440797 PMCID: PMC9019019 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-10390-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Fertilizing sperm are retained by adhesion to specific glycans on the epithelium of the oviduct forming a reservoir before sperm are released from the reservoir so fertilization can ensue. Capacitated sperm lose affinity for the oviduct epithelium but the components of capacitation that are important for sperm release are uncertain. One important correlate of capacitation is the development of hyperactivated motility. Hyperactivation is characterized by asymmetrical flagellar beating with high beat amplitude. We tested whether the development of full-type asymmetrical motility was sufficient to release sperm from immobilized oviduct glycans. Sperm hyperactivation was induced by four different compounds, a cell-permeable cAMP analog (cBiMPS), CatSper activators (4-aminopyridine and procaine), and an endogenous steroid (progesterone). Using standard analysis (CASA) and direct visualization with high-speed video microscopy, we first confirmed that all four compounds induced hyperactivation. Subsequently, sperm were allowed to bind to immobilized oviduct glycans, and compounds or vehicle controls were added. All compounds caused sperm release from immobilized glycans, demonstrating that hyperactivation was sufficient to release sperm from oviduct cells and immobilized glycans. Pharmacological inhibition of the non-genomic progesterone receptor and CatSper diminished sperm release from oviduct glycans. Inhibition of the proteolytic activities of the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS), implicated in the regulation of sperm capacitation, diminished sperm release in response to all hyperactivation inducers. In summary, induction of sperm hyperactivation was sufficient to induce sperm release from immobilized oviduct glycans and release was dependent on CatSper and the UPS.
Collapse
|
43
|
Carrasquel Martínez G, Aldana A, Carneiro J, Treviño CL, Darszon A. Acrosomal alkalinization occurs during human sperm capacitation. Mol Hum Reprod 2022; 28:6535714. [PMID: 35201340 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaac005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 01/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian sperm capacitation is a prerequisite for successful fertilization. Capacitation involves biochemical and physiological modifications of sperm as they travel through the female reproductive tract. These modifications prepare the sperm to undergo the acrosome reaction (AR), an acrosome vesicle exocytosis that is necessary for gamete fusion. Capacitation requires an increase in both intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) and pH (pHi). Mouse sperm capacitation is accompanied by acrosomal alkalinization and artificial elevation of the acrosome pH (pHa) is sufficient to trigger the AR in mouse and human sperm, but it is unknown if pHa increases naturally during human sperm capacitation. We used single-cell imaging and image-based flow cytometry to evaluate pHa during capacitation and its regulation. We found that pHa progressively increases during capacitation. The V-ATPase, which immunolocalized to the acrosome and equatorial segment, is mainly responsible for the acidity of the acrosome. It is likely that the regulation of V-ATPase is at least in part responsible for the progressive increase in pHa during capacitation. Acrosome alkalinization was dependent on extracellular HCO3- and Ca2+. Inhibition of the HCO3--dependent adenylyl cyclase and protein kinase A induced significant pHa changes. Overall, alkalinization of the acrosome may be a key step in the path towards the AR.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Carrasquel Martínez
- Departamento de Genética del Desarrollo y Fisiología Molecular. Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Morelos, 62210, México
| | - Andrés Aldana
- Departamento de Genética del Desarrollo y Fisiología Molecular. Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Morelos, 62210, México.,Centro de Ciencias de la Complejidad, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Jorge Carneiro
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência (IGC), Oeiras, Portugal.,Instituto de Tecnología Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universida de Nova, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Claudia Lydia Treviño
- Departamento de Genética del Desarrollo y Fisiología Molecular. Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Morelos, 62210, México
| | - Alberto Darszon
- Departamento de Genética del Desarrollo y Fisiología Molecular. Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Morelos, 62210, México
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Chakraborty S, Saha S. Understanding sperm motility mechanisms and the implication of sperm surface molecules in promoting motility. MIDDLE EAST FERTILITY SOCIETY JOURNAL 2022. [DOI: 10.1186/s43043-022-00094-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
It is estimated that approximately 8–12% of couples globally face problems associated with infertility. A large number of men exhibit suboptimal sperm parameters. Sperm motility is one of the factors that is measured when analysing sperm parameters. The indication of several crucial sperm surface molecules, having the ability to modulate motility, has opened new avenues in understanding the complex processes involved in motility.
Main body of the abstract
There are various mechanisms that regulate and enhance sperm motility. Several surface molecules on sperm cells can also regulate motility, thus showing their possible application as a treatment for infertility caused by impaired motility. Sperm motility is regulated by intracellular and extracellular pH, along with calcium ions (Ca2+) and carbonate ion (HCO3−) concentrations. Moreover, sperm cells have an array of surface proteins which play a critical role in their function and motility. The indication of surface molecules presented new opportunities for understanding sperm motility and the possibility of treating infertility caused by impaired sperm function. Infertility and problems associated with conception can cause underlying stress and mental trauma. Although there are several methods for treating infertility, most are complex, invasive, and expensive.
Conclusion
It is important to understand how surface molecules and proteins on the sperm cell regulate motility. This will enable us to treat anomalies associated with proper sperm function. This review highlights the general mechanisms that regulate sperm motility, and it stresses the importance and relevance of sperm surface molecules in regulating sperm motility.
Collapse
|
45
|
Hayashida Y, Yamamoto C, Takahashi F, Shibata A, Kasahara M. Characterization of the cAMP phosphodiesterase domain in plant adenylyl cyclase/cAMP phosphodiesterase CAPE from the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha. JOURNAL OF PLANT RESEARCH 2022; 135:137-144. [PMID: 34779957 DOI: 10.1007/s10265-021-01359-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Cyclic AMP (cAMP) acts as a second messenger and is involved in the regulation of various physiological responses. Recently, we identified the cAMP-synthesis/hydrolysis enzyme CAPE, which contains the two catalytic domains adenylyl cyclase (AC) and cAMP phosphodiesterase (PDE) from the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha. Here we characterize the PDE domain of M. polymorpha CAPE (MpCAPE-PDE) using the purified protein expressed in E. coli. The Km and Vmax of MpCAPE-PDE were 30 µM and 5.8 nmol min-1 mg-1, respectively. Further, we investigated the effect of divalent cations on PDE activity and found that Ca2+ enhanced PDE activity, suggesting that Ca2+ may be involved in cAMP signaling through the regulation of PDE activity of CAPE. Among the PDE inhibitors tested, only dipyridamole moderately inhibited PDE activity by approximately 40% at high concentrations. Conversely, 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX) did not inhibit PDE activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuta Hayashida
- Graduate School of Life Sciences, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu, Shiga, 525-8577, Japan
| | - Chiaki Yamamoto
- Graduate School of Life Sciences, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu, Shiga, 525-8577, Japan
| | - Fumio Takahashi
- Graduate School of Life Sciences, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu, Shiga, 525-8577, Japan
| | - Aika Shibata
- Graduate School of Life Sciences, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu, Shiga, 525-8577, Japan
| | - Masahiro Kasahara
- Graduate School of Life Sciences, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu, Shiga, 525-8577, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Campolo F, Capponi C, Tarsitano MG, Tenuta M, Pozza C, Gianfrilli D, Magliocca F, Venneri MA, Vicini E, Lenzi A, Isidori AM, Barbagallo F. cAMP-specific phosphodiesterase 8A and 8B isoforms are differentially expressed in human testis and Leydig cell tumor. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:1010924. [PMID: 36277728 PMCID: PMC9585345 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1010924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyclic adenosine monophosphate/Protein kinase A (cAMP/PKA) signaling pathway is the master regulator of endocrine tissue function. The level, compartmentalization and amplitude of cAMP response are finely regulated by phosphodiesterases (PDEs). PDE8 is responsible of cAMP hydrolysis and its expression has been characterized in all steroidogenic cell types in rodents including adrenal and Leydig cells in rodents however scarce data are currently available in humans. Here we demonstrate that human Leydig cells express both PDE8A and PDE8B isoforms. Interestingly, we found that the expression of PDE8B but not of PDE8A is increased in transformed Leydig cells (Leydig cell tumors-LCTs) compared to non-tumoral cells. Immunofluorescence analyses further reveals that PDE8A is also highly expressed in specific spermatogenic stages. While the protein is not detected in spermatogonia it accumulates nearby the forming acrosome, in the trans-Golgi apparatus of spermatocytes and spermatids and it follows the fate of this organelle in the later stages translocating to the caudal part of the cell. Taken together our findings suggest that 1) a specific pool(s) of cAMP is/are regulated by PDE8A during spermiogenesis pointing out a possible new role of this PDE8 isoform in key events governing the differentiation and maturation of human sperm and 2) PDE8B can be involved in Leydig cell transformation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Federica Campolo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Capponi
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Tarsitano
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Marta Tenuta
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Carlotta Pozza
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniele Gianfrilli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Fabio Magliocca
- Department of Radiological, Oncological and Pathological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Mary A. Venneri
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Elena Vicini
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Lenzi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea M. Isidori
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Federica Barbagallo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Kore University of Enna, Enna, Italy
- *Correspondence: Federica Barbagallo,
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Molecular mechanisms of sperm motility are conserved in an early-branching metazoan. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2109993118. [PMID: 34810263 PMCID: PMC8640785 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2109993118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Reef-building corals are the keystone species of the world’s most biodiverse yet threatened marine ecosystems. Coral reproduction, critical for reef resilience, requires that coral sperm swim through the water column to reach the egg. However, little is known about the mechanisms that regulate coral sperm motility. We found here that coral sperm motility is pH dependent and that activation of motility requires signaling via the pH-sensing enzyme soluble adenylyl cyclase. This study reveals the deep conservation of a sperm activation pathway from humans to corals, presenting the first comprehensive examination of the molecular mechanisms regulating sperm motility in an early-diverging animal. These results are critical for understanding the resilience of this sensitive life stage to a changing marine environment. Efficient and targeted sperm motility is essential for animal reproductive success. Sperm from mammals and echinoderms utilize a highly conserved signaling mechanism in which sperm motility is stimulated by pH-dependent activation of the cAMP-producing enzyme soluble adenylyl cyclase (sAC). However, the presence of this pathway in early-branching metazoans has remained unexplored. Here, we found that elevating cytoplasmic pH induced a rapid burst of cAMP signaling and triggered the onset of motility in sperm from the reef-building coral Montipora capitata in a sAC-dependent manner. Expression of sAC in the mitochondrial-rich midpiece and flagellum of coral sperm support a dual role for this molecular pH sensor in regulating mitochondrial respiration and flagellar beating and thus motility. In addition, we found that additional members of the homologous signaling pathway described in echinoderms, both upstream and downstream of sAC, are expressed in coral sperm. These include the Na+/H+ exchanger SLC9C1, protein kinase A, and the CatSper Ca2+ channel conserved even in mammalian sperm. Indeed, the onset of motility corresponded with increased protein kinase A activity. Our discovery of this pathway in an early-branching metazoan species highlights the ancient origin of the pH-sAC-cAMP signaling node in sperm physiology and suggests that it may be present in many other marine invertebrate taxa for which sperm motility mechanisms remain unexplored. These results emphasize the need to better understand the role of pH-dependent signaling in the reproductive success of marine animals, particularly as climate change stressors continue to alter the physiology of corals and other marine invertebrates.
Collapse
|
48
|
Li Y, Wang Y, Wen Y, Zhang T, Wang X, Jiang C, Zheng R, Zhou F, Chen D, Yang Y, Shen Y. Whole-exome sequencing of a cohort of infertile men reveals novel causative genes in teratozoospermia that are chiefly related to sperm head defects. Hum Reprod 2021; 37:152-177. [PMID: 34791246 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deab229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Revised: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Can whole-exome sequencing (WES) and in vitro validation studies identify new causative genes associated with teratozoospermia, particularly for sperm head defect? SUMMARY ANSWER We investigated a core group of infertile patients, including 82 cases with unexplained abnormal sperm head and 67 individuals with multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagella (MMAF), and revealed rare and novel deleterious gene variants correlated with morphological abnormalities of the sperm head or tail defects. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Teratozoospermia is one of the most common factors causing male infertility. Owing to high phenotypic variability, currently known genetic causes of teratozoospermia can only explain a rather minor component for patients with anomalous sperm-head shapes, and the agents responsible for atypical sperm head shapes remain largely unknown. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION We executed WES analysis of a Chinese cohort of patients (N = 149) with teratozoospermia to identify novel genetic causes particularly for defective sperm head. We also sought to reveal the influence of different abnormalities of sperm morphology on ICSI outcome. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS In this study, a cohort of 149 infertile men (82 with abnormal sperm head and 67 with MMAF) were recruited. We implemented WES on infertile patients and analyzed the negative effects of the mutations of candidate genes on their protein conformations and/or expression. We also investigated the candidate genes' spatiotemporal expression/localization during spermatogenesis in both humans and mice, and explored their interactions with proteins that are known to be involved in sperm development. We also compared the ICSI outcomes of the affected individuals with various aberrations in sperm morphology. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE We identified rare and deleterious variants of piwi like RNA-mediated gene silencing 4 (PIWIL4: 1/82 patients, 1.21%), coiled-coil and C2 domain containing 1B (CC2D1B: 1/82 patients, 1.21%), cyclin B3 (CCNB3: 1/82 patients, 1.21%), KIAA1210 (KIAA1210: 2/82 patients, 2.43%) and choline phosphotransferase 1 (CHPT1: 1/82 patients, 1.21%), which are novel correlates of morphological abnormalities of the sperm head; functional evidence supports roles for all of these genes in sperm head formation. The mutations of septin 12 (SEPTIN12: 2/82 patients, 2.43%) are suggested to be associated with acrosome defects. We additionally observed novel causative mutations of dynein axonemal heavy chain 2 (DNAH2: 1/67 patients, 1.49%), dynein axonemal heavy chain 10 (DNAH10: 1/67 patients, 1.49%) and dynein axonemal heavy chain 12 (DNAH12: 1/67 patients, 1.49%) in patients with MMAF, and revealed a significantly lower fertilization rate of the abnormal sperm-head group compared to the MMAF group following ICSI. Consequently, our study also suggests that the mutations of PIWIL4 and CC2D1B might be circumvented by ICSI to a degree, and that CHPT1 and KIAA1210 loss-of-function variants might be associated with failed ICSI treatment. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION In this study, we discovered the relationship between the genotype and phenotype of the novel causative genes of sperm head deformities in humans. However, the molecular mechanism of the relevant genes involved in sperm head development needs to be further illuminated in future research. Furthermore, evidence should be provided using knockout/knock-in mouse models for additional confirmation of the roles of these novel genes in spermatogenesis. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS This cohort study of 149 Chinese infertile men documents novel genetic factors involved in teratozoospermia, particularly in anomalous sperm head formation. For the first time, we suggest that SEPTIN12 is related to human acrosomal hypoplasia, and that CCNB3 is a novel causative gene for globozoospermia in humans. We also uncovered variants in two genes-KIAA1210 and CHPT1associated with acrosomal biogenesis in patients with small or absent acrosomes. Additionally, it is postulated that loss-of-function mutations of PIWIL4 and CC2D1B have a contribution to the abnormal sperm-head formation. Furthermore, we are first to demonstrate the influence of different sperm morphologies on ICSI outcomes and indicates that the abnormal sperm head may play a significant role in fertilization failure. Our findings therefore provide valuable information for the diagnosis of teratozoospermia, particularly with respect to abnormalities of the sperm head. This will allow clinicians to adopt the optimal treatment strategy and to develop personalized medicine directly targeting these effects. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This work was financed by the West China Second University Hospital of Sichuan University (KS369 and KL042). The authors declare that they do not have any conflicts of interests. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yaqian Li
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Joint Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine (SCU-CUHK), Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Reproduction Medical Center of West China Second University Hospital, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuting Wen
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Joint Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine (SCU-CUHK), Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Tao Zhang
- Reproduction Medical Center of West China Second University Hospital, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaodong Wang
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Joint Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine (SCU-CUHK), Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Chuan Jiang
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Joint Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine (SCU-CUHK), Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Rui Zheng
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Joint Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine (SCU-CUHK), Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Fan Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Joint Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine (SCU-CUHK), Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Daijuan Chen
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Joint Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine (SCU-CUHK), Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yihong Yang
- Reproduction Medical Center of West China Second University Hospital, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ying Shen
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Joint Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine (SCU-CUHK), Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Marín-Briggiler CI, Luque GM, Gervasi MG, Oscoz-Susino N, Sierra JM, Mondillo C, Salicioni AM, Krapf D, Visconti PE, Buffone MG. Human Sperm Remain Motile After a Temporary Energy Restriction but do Not Undergo Capacitation-Related Events. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:777086. [PMID: 34869380 PMCID: PMC8633110 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.777086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
To acquire fertilization competence, mammalian sperm must undergo several biochemical and physiological modifications known as capacitation. Despite its relevance, the metabolic pathways that regulate the capacitation-related events, including the development of hyperactivated motility, are still poorly described. Previous studies from our group have shown that temporary energy restriction in mouse sperm enhanced hyperactivation, in vitro fertilization, early embryo development and pregnancy rates after embryo transfer, and it improved intracytoplasmic sperm injection results in the bovine model. However, the effects of starvation and energy recovery protocols on human sperm function have not yet been established. In the present work, human sperm were incubated for different periods of time in medium containing glucose, pyruvate and lactate (NUTR) or devoid of nutrients for the starving condition (STRV). Sperm maintained in STRV displayed reduced percentages of motility and kinematic parameters compared to cells incubated in NUTR medium. Moreover, they did not undergo hyperactivation and showed reduced levels of ATP, cAMP and protein tyrosine phosphorylation. Similar to our results with mouse sperm, starvation induced increased intracellular Ca2+ concentrations. Starved human sperm were capable to continue moving for more than 27 h, but the incubation with a mitochondrial uncoupler or inhibitors of oxidative phosphorylation led to a complete motility loss. When exogenous nutrients were added back (sperm energy recovery (SER) treatment), hyperactivated motility was rescued and there was a rise in sperm ATP and cAMP levels in 1 min, with a decrease in intracellular Ca2+ concentration and no changes in sperm protein tyrosine phosphorylation. The finding that human sperm can remain motile for several hours under starvation due to mitochondrial use of endogenous metabolites implies that other metabolic pathways may play a role in sperm energy production. In addition, full recovery of motility and other capacitation parameters of human sperm after SER suggests that this treatment might be used to modulate human sperm fertilizing ability in vitro.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Guillermina M. Luque
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María G. Gervasi
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Science, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Natalia Oscoz-Susino
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Jessica M. Sierra
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carolina Mondillo
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ana M. Salicioni
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Science, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Darío Krapf
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (CONICET-UNR), Rosario, Argentina
| | - Pablo E. Visconti
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Science, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Mariano G. Buffone
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Exogenous Albumin Is Crucial for Pig Sperm to Elicit In Vitro Capacitation Whereas Bicarbonate Only Modulates Its Efficiency. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10111105. [PMID: 34827098 PMCID: PMC8615011 DOI: 10.3390/biology10111105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary In this work, we addressed if the presence of exogenous bicarbonate required for pig sperm capacitation, which is a necessary step to acquire fertilizing ability. While sperm incubated in media without BSA or BSA/bicarbonate did not achieve in vitro capacitation, those incubated with BSA reached that status under any bicarbonate concentration, even when bicarbonate was absent. Interestingly, there were differences related to the concentration of bicarbonate, since sperm incubated in media with BSA and with no bicarbonate or 5 mM bicarbonate showed lower overall efficiency in achieving in vitro capacitation than those incubated in the presence of BSA and higher concentration of bicarbonate. Additionally, at the end of the experiment, sperm incubated in the presence of BSA and 38 mM bicarbonate showed lower motility and plasma membrane integrity than those incubated in media with BSA and lower concentrations of bicarbonate. In conclusion, BSA is crucial in for pig sperm to elicit in vitro capacitation and trigger the subsequent progesterone-induced acrosome exocytosis. In contrast, although exogenous bicarbonate does not appear to be indispensable, it shortens the time needed to reach that capacitated status. Abstract This work sought to address whether the presence of exogenous bicarbonate is required for pig sperm to elicit in vitro capacitation and further progesterone-induced acrosome exocytosis. For this purpose, sperm were either incubated in a standard in vitro capacitation medium or a similar medium with different concentrations of bicarbonate (either 0 mM, 5 mM, 15 mM or 38 mM) and BSA (either 0 mg/mL or 5 mg/mL). The achievement of in vitro capacitation and progesterone-induced acrosomal exocytosis was tested through the analysis of sperm motility, plasma membrane integrity and lipid disorder, acrosome exocytosis, intracellular calcium levels, mitochondria membrane potential, O2 consumption rate and the activities of both glycogen synthase kinase 3 alpha (GSK3α) and protein kinase A (PKA). While sperm incubated in media without BSA or BSA/bicarbonate, they did not achieve in vitro capacitation; those incubated in media with BSA achieved the capacitated status under any bicarbonate concentration, even when bicarbonate was absent. Moreover, there were differences related to the concentration of bicarbonate, since sperm incubated in media with BSA and with no bicarbonate or 5 mM bicarbonate showed lower overall efficiency in achieving in vitro capacitation than those incubated in the presence of BSA and 15 mM or 38 mM bicarbonate. Additionally, at the end of the experiment, sperm incubated in the presence of BSA and 38 mM bicarbonate showed significantly (p < 0.05) lower values of motility and plasma membrane integrity than those incubated in media with BSA and lower concentrations of bicarbonate. In conclusion, BSA is instrumental for pig sperm to elicit in vitro capacitation and trigger the subsequent progesterone-induced acrosome exocytosis. Furthermore, while exogenous bicarbonate does not seem to be essential to launch sperm capacitation, it does modulate its efficiency.
Collapse
|