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Furukawa H, Mito S, Nishio J, Sato N, Ando Y, Tominaga A, Toyama F, Nakauchi Y, Takayama-Watanabe E, Watanabe A. Identification and characterization of sperm motility-initiating substance-2 gene in internally fertilizing Cynops species. Dev Growth Differ 2023; 65:144-152. [PMID: 36856665 DOI: 10.1111/dgd.12846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023]
Abstract
Sperm motility-initiating substance (SMIS) is an oviductal protein critical for internal fertilization in urodeles. It contributes to the establishment of various reproductive modes in amphibians and is thus a unique research model for the gene evolution of gamete-recognizing ligands that have diversified among animal species. In this study, a paralogous SMIS gene, smis2, was identified via the RNA sequencing of the oviduct of the newt, Cynops pyrrhogaster. The base sequence of the smis2 gene was homologous (˃90%) to that of the original smis gene (smis1), and deduced amino acid sequences of both genes conserved six cysteine residues essential for the cysteine knot motif. Furthermore, smis2 complementary DNA was identified in the oviduct of Cynops ensicauda, and the base substitution patterns also suggested that the smis gene was duplicated in the Salamandridae. Nonsynonymous/synonymous substitution ratios of smis1 and smis2 genes were 0.79 and 2.6, respectively, suggesting that smis2 gene evolution was independently driven by positive selection. Amino acid substitutions were concentrated in the cysteine knot motif of SMIS2. The smis2 gene was expressed in some organs in addition to the oviduct; in contrast, SMIS1 was only expressed in the oviduct. The SMIS2 protein was suggested to be produced and secreted at least in the oviduct and redundantly act in sperm. These results suggest that smis1 plays the original role in the oviduct, whereas smis2 may undergo neofunctionalization, which rarely occurs in gene evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haruka Furukawa
- Faculty of Science, Biological Division, Yamagata University, Yamagata, Japan
| | - Shinya Mito
- Faculty of Science, Biological Division, Yamagata University, Yamagata, Japan
| | - Jun Nishio
- Faculty of Science, Biological Division, Yamagata University, Yamagata, Japan
| | - Nozomi Sato
- Faculty of Science, Biological Division, Yamagata University, Yamagata, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Ando
- Faculty of Science, Biological Division, Yamagata University, Yamagata, Japan
| | | | - Fubito Toyama
- Graduate School of Engineering, Utsunomiya University, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Yuni Nakauchi
- Faculty of Science, Biological Division, Yamagata University, Yamagata, Japan
| | | | - Akihiko Watanabe
- Faculty of Science, Biological Division, Yamagata University, Yamagata, Japan
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Sato T, Arimura T, Murata K, Kawamura M, Obama W, Suzuki M, Nakauchi Y, Tominaga A, Morita M, Hiraoka K, Takayama-Watanabe E, Watanabe A. Differences of Extracellular Cues and Ca 2+ Permeable Channels in the Signaling Pathways for Inducing Amphibian Sperm Motility. Zoolog Sci 2021; 38:343-351. [PMID: 34342955 DOI: 10.2108/zs200159] [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: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Low osmolality of freshwater and/or sperm motility-initiating substance (SMIS) induce amphibian sperm motility through increases in intracellular Ca2+. In the internally fertilizing newt Cynops pyrrhogaster, the sperm motility-initiating substance engages T type voltage-dependent Ca2 + channels and N-methyl D-aspartate-type glutamate receptors to initiate sperm motility and L type voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels to enhance motility. In the present study, differences in the usages of SMIS and Ca2+ permeable channels for sperm motility regulation were examined in amphibians that undergo different reproductive modes. Proteins of 14-17 kDa were detected by antibody against the active site peptide of SMIS in the oviduct secretion of internal fertilizers (C. pyrrhogaster, Cynops ensicauda, and Ambystoma mexicanum) and arboreal fertilizers (Rhacophorus arboreus and Rhacophorus schlegelii), but not in Buergeria japonica, an external fertilizer in freshwater. In the pharmacological study, a blocker of some transient receptor potential channels (RN1734) additionally suppressed enhancement of sperm motility in C. pyrrhogaster. In R. schlegelii, blockers of four types of channels differently suppressed sperm motility induced by low osmolality with or without the active site peptide of SMIS. Notably, blockers of L type voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels (nifedipine) and N-methyl D-aspartate-type glutamate receptors (MK801) suppressed sperm motility in the presence and the absence of the peptide, respectively. Low osmolality-induced sperm motility was suppressed by RN1734 and MK801 in B. japonica, but not in Xenopus laevis. These results reveal complex differences in the signaling pathways for inducing sperm motility that may be partly related to reproductive modes in amphibians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tae Sato
- Faculty of Science, Biological Division, Yamagata University, Yamagata 990-8560, Japan
| | - Takeshi Arimura
- Faculty of Science, Biological Division, Yamagata University, Yamagata 990-8560, Japan
| | - Kenji Murata
- Center for Health & the Environment, University of California Davis, Davis CA 95616, USA
| | - Maako Kawamura
- Faculty of Science, Biological Division, Yamagata University, Yamagata 990-8560, Japan
| | - Wataru Obama
- Faculty of Science, Biological Division, Yamagata University, Yamagata 990-8560, Japan
| | - Megumu Suzuki
- Faculty of Science, Biological Division, Yamagata University, Yamagata 990-8560, Japan
| | - Yuni Nakauchi
- Faculty of Science, Biological Division, Yamagata University, Yamagata 990-8560, Japan
| | - Atsushi Tominaga
- Faculty of Education, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara, Okinawa 903-0213, Japan
| | - Masaya Morita
- Sesoko Station, Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus, Sesoko, Motobu, Okinawa 905-0227, Japan
| | - Kiyoshi Hiraoka
- Expo Memorial Tsukuba Advanced Technology Center, Fujikin Incorporated, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0841, Japan
| | | | - Akihiko Watanabe
- Faculty of Science, Biological Division, Yamagata University, Yamagata 990-8560, Japan,
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Structure and beating behavior of the sperm motility apparatus in aquatic animals. Theriogenology 2019; 135:152-163. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2019.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2019] [Revised: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
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Stephens K, Cardullo RA, Thaler CD. Culex pipiens sperm motility is initiated by a trypsin-like protease from male accessory glands. Mol Reprod Dev 2018; 85:440-448. [PMID: 29575187 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.22980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2018] [Accepted: 03/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
In most animals, sperm are stored in a quiescent state in the male reproductive tract and only initiate motility when released into either the female reproductive tract, or, in the case of broadcast spawners, the external environment. Male accessory gland secretions transferred into the female reproductive tract may provide factors that modulate sperm viability and storage, or aid in sperm competition, as well as activate sperm motility. In several insects, serine proteases have been implicated in activating sperm motility. Our previous studies have shown that, in Culex quinquefasciatus, either a male accessory gland extract or purified trypsin is sufficient to initiate sperm motility in vitro. The objective of this study was to identify and characterize trypsin-like enzymes produced in the Culex male accessory glands. Mass spectrometry was used to analyze accessory gland proteins and this preliminary proteomic analysis identified 4 trypsin-like proteases (trypsin, trypsin4, and two trypsin7 isoforms). When measured with the chromogenic trypsin substrate Na -benzoyl-L-arginine-ethyl-ester-hydrochloride (BAEE), trypsin-like protease activity in the accessory glands was robust, with a pH optimum of 8. The pH range for the Culex trypsin activity was substantially narrower than a mammalian homologue (porcine pancreatic trypsin). A soybean trypsin inhibitor (SBTI) -agarose affinity column was used to independently identify trypsin-like accessory gland proteins. Several proteins were enriched in the eluate, as detected by silver staining of SDS-PAGE gels. Taken together, these data demonstrate the presence of trypsin-like activity and several trypsin-like proteins in the Culex male accessory glands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly Stephens
- Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, California
| | - Richard A Cardullo
- Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, California.,Department of Biology, University of California, Riverside, California
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Sato T, Yokoe M, Endo D, Morita M, Toyama F, Kawamura Y, Nakauchi Y, Takayama-Watanabe E, Watanabe A. Sperm motility initiating substance may be insufficient to induce forward motility of Cynops ensicauda
sperm. Mol Reprod Dev 2017; 84:686-692. [DOI: 10.1002/mrd.22849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2017] [Accepted: 05/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tae Sato
- Faculty of Science, Biological Division; Yamagata University; Yamagata Japan
| | - Misato Yokoe
- Faculty of Science, Biological Division; Yamagata University; Yamagata Japan
| | - Daisuke Endo
- Faculty of Science, Biological Division; Yamagata University; Yamagata Japan
| | - Masaya Morita
- Sesoko Station, Tropical Biosphere Research Center; University of the Ryukyus; Okinawa Japan
| | - Fubito Toyama
- Graduate School of Engineering; Utsunomiya University; Utsunomiya Tochigi Japan
| | - Yuuki Kawamura
- Medical Education Center; Saitama Medical University; Moroyama Saitama Japan
| | - Yuni Nakauchi
- Faculty of Science, Biological Division; Yamagata University; Yamagata Japan
| | | | - Akihiko Watanabe
- Faculty of Science, Biological Division; Yamagata University; Yamagata Japan
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Yokoe M, Takayama-Watanabe E, Saito Y, Kutsuzawa M, Fujita K, Ochi H, Nakauchi Y, Watanabe A. A Novel Cysteine Knot Protein for Enhancing Sperm Motility That Might Facilitate the Evolution of Internal Fertilization in Amphibians. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0160445. [PMID: 27579691 PMCID: PMC5007030 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0160445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2016] [Accepted: 07/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Internal fertilization ensures successful reproduction of tetrapod vertebrates on land, although how this mode of reproduction evolved is unknown. Here, we identified a novel gene encoding sperm motility-initiating substance (SMIS), a key protein for the internal fertilization of the urodele Cynops pyrrhogaster by Edman degradation of an isolated protein and subsequent reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The SMIS gene encoded a 150 amino-acid sequence including the cysteine knot (CK) motif. No gene with substantial similarity to the SMIS was in the data bank of any model organisms. An active site of the SMIS was in the C-terminal region of the 2nd loop of CK motif. A synthetic peptide including the active site sequence bound to the midpiece and initiated/enhanced the circular motion of C. pyrrhogaster sperm, which allows penetration of the egg jelly specialized for the internal fertilization of this species. The synthetic peptide bound to whole sperm of Rhacophorus arboreus and enhanced the rotary motion, which is adapted to propel the sperm through egg coat matrix specialized for arboreal reproduction, while it bound to the tip of head and tail of Bufo japonicus sperm, and enhanced the vibratory motion, which is suited to sperm penetration through the egg jelly specialized for the reproduction of that species in freshwater. The polyclonal antibody against the active site of the SMIS specifically bound to egg coat matrix of R. arboreus. These findings suggest that diversification of amphibian reproductive modes accompanies the specialization of egg coat and the adaptation of sperm motility to penetrate the specialized egg coat, and SMIS acts as the sperm motility enhancer of anurans and urodeles that might facilitate to adaptively optimize sperm motility for allowing the establishment of internal fertilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Misato Yokoe
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Yamagata University, Kojirakawa, Yamagata, Japan
| | | | - Yoko Saito
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Yamagata University, Kojirakawa, Yamagata, Japan
| | - Megumi Kutsuzawa
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Yamagata University, Kojirakawa, Yamagata, Japan
| | - Kosuke Fujita
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Yamagata University, Kojirakawa, Yamagata, Japan
| | - Haruki Ochi
- School of Medicine, Yamagata University, Iida-Nishi, Yamagata, Japan
| | - Yuni Nakauchi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Yamagata University, Kojirakawa, Yamagata, Japan
| | - Akihiko Watanabe
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Yamagata University, Kojirakawa, Yamagata, Japan
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Browne R, Kaurova S, Uteshev V, Shishova N, McGinnity D, Figiel C, Mansour N, Agnew D, Wu M, Gakhova E, Dzyuba B, Cosson J. Sperm motility of externally fertilizing fish and amphibians. Theriogenology 2015; 83:1-13. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2014.09.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2014] [Revised: 09/08/2014] [Accepted: 09/11/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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Contribution of different Ca2+ channels to the acrosome reaction-mediated initiation of sperm motility in the newt Cynops pyrrhogaster. ZYGOTE 2013; 23:342-51. [DOI: 10.1017/s0967199413000609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
SummaryInitiation of sperm motility in urodeles, which is induced by a sperm motility-initiating substance (SMIS) in the sequestered granules on the surface of egg jelly, is mediated by the acrosome reaction (AR), which is triggered by an AR-inducing substance (ARIS) on a sheet-like structure. Details of the unique process of the interaction between egg jelly and sperm in these species is still unclear. The current study showed the fine structure of egg jelly in the newt Cynops pyrrhogaster, a urodele species, revealing that its outer surface was covered by a sheet-like structure of approximately 0.29 μm in thickness. Granules of approximately 2 μm in diameter with small particles of approximately 54 nm were attached to its surface and distributed inhomogeneously just beneath the sheet-like structure. Emission spectrometry revealed that the Ca2+ concentration was maintained at a high level compared with that of the blood plasma and the vas deferens fluid, suggesting that egg jelly is a reliable source of Ca2+ for the sperm–egg interaction. Blockers of the T-type voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel (VDCC), but not the L-type VDCC, inhibited both AR and initiation of sperm motility. Conversely, Ni+, which affects the α1 H subunit of T-type VDCC, only inhibited the initiation of sperm motility. These data suggest that, in response to ARIS and SMIS, sequential gating of distinct Ca2+ channels occurs in the AR, followed by the initiation of sperm motility on the surface of the egg jelly in C. pyrrhogaster at fertilization.
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Thaler CD, Miyata H, Haimo LT, Cardullo RA. Waveform generation is controlled by phosphorylation and swimming direction is controlled by Ca2+ in sperm from the mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus. Biol Reprod 2013; 89:135. [PMID: 24108305 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.113.109488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Most animal sperm are quiescent in the male reproductive tract and become activated after mixing with accessory secretions from the male and/or female reproductive tract. Sperm from the mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus initiate flagellar motility after mixing with male accessory gland components, and the sperm flagellum displays three distinct motility patterns over time: a low amplitude, a long wavelength form (Wave A), a double waveform consisting of two superimposed waveforms over the length of the flagellum (Wave B), and finally, a single helical waveform that propels the sperm at high velocity (Wave C). This flagellar behavior is replicated by treating quiescent sperm with trypsin. When exposed to either broad spectrum or tyrosine kinase inhibitors, sperm activated by accessory gland secretions exhibited motility through Wave B but were unable to progress to Wave C. The MEK1/2 inhibitor UO126 and the ERK1/2 inhibitor FR180204 each blocked the transition from Wave B to Wave C, indicating a role for MAPK activity in the control of waveform and, accordingly, progressive movement. Furthermore, a MAPK substrate antibody stained the flagellum of activated sperm. In the absence of extracellular Ca(2+), a small fraction of sperm swam backwards, whereas most could not be activated by either accessory glands or trypsin and were immotile. However, the phosphatase inhibitor okadaic acid in the absence of extracellular Ca(2+) induced all sperm to swim backwards with a flagellar waveform similar to Wave A. These results indicate that flagellar waveform generation and direction of motility are controlled by protein phosphorylation and Ca(2+) levels, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine D Thaler
- Department of Biology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California
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Takahashi T, Kutsuzawa M, Shiba K, Takayama-Watanabe E, Inaba K, Watanabe A. Distinct Ca2+channels maintain a high motility state of the sperm that may be needed for penetration of egg jelly of the newt,Cynops pyrrhogaster. Dev Growth Differ 2013; 55:657-67. [DOI: 10.1111/dgd.12073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2013] [Revised: 07/18/2013] [Accepted: 07/18/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tomoe Takahashi
- Department of Biology; Faculty of Science; Yamagata University; 1-4-12 Kojirakawa; Yamagata; 990-8560; Japan
| | - Megumi Kutsuzawa
- Department of Biology; Faculty of Science; Yamagata University; 1-4-12 Kojirakawa; Yamagata; 990-8560; Japan
| | - Kogiku Shiba
- Shimoda Marine Research Center; University of Tsukuba; 5-10-1 Shimoda; Shizuoka; 415-0025; Japan
| | - Eriko Takayama-Watanabe
- Institute of Arts and Sciences; Yamagata University; 1-4-12 Kojirakawa; Yamagata; 990-8560; Japan
| | - Kazuo Inaba
- Shimoda Marine Research Center; University of Tsukuba; 5-10-1 Shimoda; Shizuoka; 415-0025; Japan
| | - Akihiko Watanabe
- Department of Biology; Faculty of Science; Yamagata University; 1-4-12 Kojirakawa; Yamagata; 990-8560; Japan
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