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Takei GL, Ogura Y, Ujihara Y, Toyama F, Hayashi K, Fujita T. Hamster Sperm Possess Functional Na +/Ca 2+-Exchanger 1: Its Implication in Hyperactivation. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24108905. [PMID: 37240252 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24108905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Previous studies demonstrated that hamster sperm hyperactivation is suppressed by extracellular Na+ by lowering intracellular Ca2+ levels, and Na+/Ca2+-exchanger (NCX) specific inhibitors canceled the suppressive effects of extracellular Na+. These results suggest the involvement of NCX in the regulation of hyperactivation. However, direct evidence of the presence and functionality of NCX in hamster spermatozoa is still lacking. This study aimed to reveal that NCX is present and is functional in hamster spermatozoa. First, NCX1 and NCX2 transcripts were detected via RNA-seq analyses of hamster testis mRNAs, but only the NCX1 protein was detected. Next, NCX activity was determined by measuring the Na+-dependent Ca2+ influx using the Ca2+ indicator Fura-2. The Na+-dependent Ca2+ influx was detected in hamster spermatozoa, notably in the tail region. The Na+-dependent Ca2+ influx was inhibited by the NCX inhibitor SEA0400 at NCX1-specific concentrations. NCX1 activity was reduced after 3 h of incubation in capacitating conditions. These results, together with authors' previous study, showed that hamster spermatozoa possesses functional NCX1 and that its activity was downregulated upon capacitation to trigger hyperactivation. This is the first study to successfully reveal the presence of NCX1 and its physiological function as a hyperactivation brake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gen L Takei
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Dokkyo Medical University, 880 Kitakobayashi, Mibu, Tochigi 321-0293, Japan
| | - Yuhei Ogura
- Department of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya Institute of Technology, Nagoya 466-8555, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Ujihara
- Department of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya Institute of Technology, Nagoya 466-8555, Japan
| | - Fubito Toyama
- School of Engineering, Utsunomiya University, Yoto 7-1-2, Utsunomiya 321-8585, Japan
| | - Keitaro Hayashi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Dokkyo Medical University, 880 Kitakobayashi, Mibu, Tochigi 321-0293, Japan
| | - Tomoe Fujita
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Dokkyo Medical University, 880 Kitakobayashi, Mibu, Tochigi 321-0293, Japan
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IP3R Channels in Male Reproduction. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21239179. [PMID: 33276427 PMCID: PMC7730405 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21239179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
As a second messenger in cellular signal transduction, calcium signaling extensively participates in various physiological activities, including spermatogenesis and the regulation of sperm function. Abnormal calcium signaling is highly correlated with male infertility. Calcium signaling is mainly regulated by both extracellular calcium influx and the release of calcium stores. Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP3R) is a widely expressed channel for calcium stores. After being activated by inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) and calcium signaling at a lower concentration, IP3R can regulate the release of Ca2+ from stores into cytoplasm, and eventually trigger downstream events. The closure of the IP3R channel caused by a rise in intracellular calcium signals and the activation of the calcium pump jointly restores the calcium store to a normal level. In this review, we aim to discuss structural features of IP3R channels and the underlying mechanism of IP3R channel-mediated calcium signaling and further focus on the research progress of IP3R expression and function in the male reproductive system. Finally, we propose key directions and strategies for research of IP3R in spermatogenesis and the regulation of sperm function to provide more understanding of the function and mechanism of IP3R channel actions in male reproduction.
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Puga Molina LC, Luque GM, Balestrini PA, Marín-Briggiler CI, Romarowski A, Buffone MG. Molecular Basis of Human Sperm Capacitation. Front Cell Dev Biol 2018; 6:72. [PMID: 30105226 PMCID: PMC6078053 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2018.00072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 135] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2018] [Accepted: 06/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
In the early 1950s, Austin and Chang independently described the changes that are required for the sperm to fertilize oocytes in vivo. These changes were originally grouped under name of “capacitation” and were the first step in the development of in vitro fertilization (IVF) in humans. Following these initial and fundamental findings, a remarkable number of observations led to characterization of the molecular steps behind this process. The discovery of certain sperm-specific molecules and the possibility to record ion currents through patch-clamp approaches helped to integrate the initial biochemical observation with the activity of ion channels. This is of particular importance in the male gamete due to the fact that sperm are transcriptionally inactive. Therefore, sperm must control all these changes that occur during their transit through the male and female reproductive tracts by complex signaling cascades that include post-translational modifications. This review is focused on the principal molecular mechanisms that govern human sperm capacitation with particular emphasis on comparing all the reported pieces of evidence with the mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lis C Puga Molina
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Guillermina M Luque
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Paula A Balestrini
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Clara I Marín-Briggiler
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ana Romarowski
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mariano G Buffone
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Luque GM, Dalotto-Moreno T, Martín-Hidalgo D, Ritagliati C, Puga Molina LC, Romarowski A, Balestrini PA, Schiavi-Ehrenhaus LJ, Gilio N, Krapf D, Visconti PE, Buffone MG. Only a subpopulation of mouse sperm displays a rapid increase in intracellular calcium during capacitation. J Cell Physiol 2018; 233:9685-9700. [PMID: 29953592 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.26883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2017] [Accepted: 05/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Mammalian sperm must undergo a functionally defined process called capacitation to be able to fertilize oocytes. They become capacitated in vivo by interacting with the female reproductive tract or in vitro in a defined capacitation medium that contains bovine serum albumin, calcium (Ca2+ ), and bicarbonate (HCO3 - ). In this work, sperm were double stained with propidium iodide and the Ca2+ dye Fluo-4 AM and analyzed by flow cytometry to determine changes in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+ ]i ) in individual live sperm. An increase in [Ca2+ ]i was observed in a subpopulation of capacitated live sperm when compared with noncapacitated ones. Sperm exposed to the capacitating medium displayed a rapid increase in [Ca2+ ]i within 1 min of incubation, which remained sustained for 90 min. These rise in [Ca2+ ]i after 90 min of incubation in the capacitating medium was evidenced by an increase in the normalized median fluorescence intensity. This increase was dependent on the presence of extracellular Ca2+ and, at least in part, reflected the contribution of a new subpopulation of sperm with higher [Ca2+ ]i . In addition, it was determined that the capacitation-associated [Ca2+ ]i increase was dependent of CatSper channels, as sperm derived from CatSper knockout (CatSper KO) or incubated in the presence of CatSper inhibitors failed to increase [Ca2+ ]i . Surprisingly, a minimum increase in [Ca2+ ]i was also observed in CatSper KO sperm suggesting the existence of other Ca2+ transport systems. Altogether, these results indicate that a subpopulation of sperm increases [Ca2+ ]i very rapidly during capacitation mainly due to a CatSper-mediated influx of extracellular Ca2+ .
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillermina M Luque
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Tomas Dalotto-Moreno
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - David Martín-Hidalgo
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Science, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA
| | - Carla Ritagliati
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Rosario (UNR), Rosario, Argentina
| | - Lis C Puga Molina
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ana Romarowski
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Paula A Balestrini
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Liza J Schiavi-Ehrenhaus
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Nicolas Gilio
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Dario Krapf
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Rosario (UNR), Rosario, Argentina
| | - Pablo E Visconti
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Science, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA
| | - Mariano G Buffone
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Kumar N, Jain S, Gupta A, Tiwary AK. Spermicidal activity of sulfonylureas and meglitinide analogues: role of intrasperm Ca2+ elevation. J Pharm Pharmacol 2010; 60:323-30. [DOI: 10.1211/jpp.60.3.0007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Intrasperm calcium concentration ([Ca2+]is) is known to play a vital role in regulating motility and viability of ejaculated spermatozoa. KATP channel blockers are reported to block KATP channels, leading to depolarization of the cell membrane. This activates the voltage-gated calcium channels, resulting in enhanced Ca2+ influx, which eventually elevates the intracellular [Ca2+] level. Hence, it can be hypothesized that drugs acting on KATP channels could possess the ability to elevate [Ca2+]is. Sulfonylureas such as glibenclamide or gliclazide, as well as meglitinide analogues such as repaglinide, produced a dose- and time-dependent decrease in viability, each requiring 7.5 mm, 10 mm and 6.5 mm, respectively, to produce death of all sperm cells immediately upon addition to ejaculated human semen samples. The reduction in sperm viability was accompanied by an elevation of [Ca2+]is and was affected by removal of extracellular Ca2+. Significantly (P < 0.05) less time was required to elevate [Ca2+]is and produce complete loss of sperm viability when any of these drugs were added to sperm cells simultaneously with selected agents affecting Ca2+ homeostasis. Thus, the spermicidal activity of these drugs attributed to elevation of [Ca2+]is and their synergism can be potentially exploited for developing contact spermicidal formulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naveen Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Research, Punjabi University, Patiala, India
| | - Subheet Jain
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Research, Punjabi University, Patiala, India
| | - Anshu Gupta
- Swami Vivekanand College of Pharmacy, Banur, Patiala, India
| | - Ashok Kumar Tiwary
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Research, Punjabi University, Patiala, India
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Gulati A, Tiwary AK, Jain S, Moudgil P, Gupta A. Intrasperm Ca2+ modulation and human ejaculated sperm viability: influence of miconazole, clotrimazole and loperamide. J Pharm Pharmacol 2010; 58:1145-51. [PMID: 16872563 DOI: 10.1211/jpp.58.8.0017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Elevation of intrasperm Ca2+ is reported to influence viability of ejaculated spermatozoa. Human spermatozoa possess inositol triphosphate (IP3)-sensitive Ca2+ stores, which can be targeted for increasing intrasperm Ca2+ level. The influence of agents affecting Ca2+ homeostasis has been investigated. Miconazole nitrate, clotrimazole and loperamide hydrochloride produced a dose- and time-dependent decrease in viability, each requiring respectively 0.5, 1.0 and 1.0 mM for producing death of all sperm cells immediately upon addition to ejaculated human semen samples. The reduction in sperm viability was accompanied by elevation of intrasperm Ca2+ and was not affected by presence or absence of extracellular Ca2+. Significantly (P < 0.05) less time was required for producing complete loss of sperm viability and increasing intrasperm Ca2+ when any of these drugs was added to sperm cells previously treated with selected agents affecting Ca2+ homeostasis. This enhanced spermicidal activity of miconazole, clotrimazole and loperamide appeared to be due to further mobilization of Ca2+ from partially depleted intrasperm Ca2+ stores. Synergism of spermicidal activity and intrasperm Ca2+ elevation by miconazole or clotrimazole was observed when Ca2+ efflux from sperm cells was simultaneously inhibited by 2′,4′-dichlorobenzamil hydrochloride, a Na+-Ca2+ exchange inhibitor. The spermicidal activity of miconazole, clotrimazole or loperamide due to elevation of intrasperm Ca2+ and its synergism, therefore, has great potential for exploitation of these drugs as contact spermicides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhishek Gulati
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Research, Punjabi University, Patiala, Punjab-147 002, India
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Krasznai Z, Krasznai ZT, Morisawa M, Bazsáné ZK, Hernádi Z, Fazekas Z, Trón L, Goda K, Márián T. Role of the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger in calcium homeostasis and human sperm motility regulation. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2006; 63:66-76. [PMID: 16374831 DOI: 10.1002/cm.20108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
A number of cell functions, such as flagellar beating, swimming velocity, acrosome reaction, etc., are triggered by a Ca2+ influx across the cell membrane. For appropriate physiological functions, the motile human sperm maintains the intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) at a submicromolar level. The objective of this study was to determine the role of the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger (NCX) in the maintenance of [Ca2+]i in human spermatozoa. Spermatozoa maintained in extracellular medium containing>or=1 microM Ca2+ exhibited motility similar to that of the control. In addition to several calcium transport mechanisms described earlier, we provide evidence that the NCX plays a crucial role in the maintenance of [Ca2+]i. Three chemically unrelated inhibitors of the NCX (bepridil, DCB (3',4'-dichlorobenzamil hydrochloride), and KB-R7943) all blocked human sperm motility in a dose and incubation time dependent manner. The IC50 values for bepridil, DCB, and KB-R7943 were 16.2, 9.8, and 5.3 microM, respectively. The treatment with the above-mentioned blockers resulted in an elevated [Ca2+]i and a decreased [Na+]i. The store-operated calcium channel (SOCC) inhibitor SKF 96365 also blocked the sperm motility (IC50=2.44 microM). The presence of the NCX antigen in the human spermatozoa was proven by flow cytometry, confocal laser scanning microscopy, and immunoblotting techniques. Calcium homeostasis of human spermatozoa is maintained by several transport proteins among which the SOCC and the NCX may play a major role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoltán Krasznai
- Department of Biophysics and Cell Biology, Medical and Health Science Centre, University of Debrecen, H-4012 Debrecen, Hungary.
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Gupta A, Gupta S, Tiwary AK. Spermicidal efficacy of H2-receptor antagonists and potentiation with 2', 4'-dichlorobenzamil hydrochloride: role of intrasperm Ca2+. Contraception 2003; 68:61-4. [PMID: 12878289 DOI: 10.1016/s0010-7824(03)00102-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The present investigation was designed to study the possible role of intrasperm Ca(2+) in spermicidal action of H(2)-receptor antagonists. Influence of commonly used H(2)-receptor antagonists cimetidine, ranitidine and famotidine on sperm viability and intrasperm Ca(2+) was evaluated in ejaculated human semen samples. All these drugs were found to reduce sperm viability in a dose- and time-dependent manner. This action was accompanied with elevation of intrasperm Ca(2+). 2', 4'-dichlorobenzamil hydrochloride (DBZ), a Na(+)-Ca(2+) exchange inhibitor, that is known to elevate intrasperm Ca(2+), potentiated the spermicidal action of H(2)-receptor antagonists. Intrasperm Ca(2+) was found to rise at much faster rate when DBZ was combined with any of the three H(2)-receptor antagonists. Due to this, the maximum Ca(2+) level required to produce death of sperm cells was attained much earlier as compared to the per se effect of any one of these drugs. These results suggest that elevation of intrasperm Ca(2+) by H(2)-receptor antagonists plays a key role in influencing sperm viability.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Gupta
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Research, Punjabi University, 147 002, Patiala, India
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