Hsp90 interacts with Cdc37, is phosphorylated by PKA/PKC, and regulates Src phosphorylation in human sperm capacitation

Huangqi-Guizhi-Wuwutang protects against oligospermia in mice by promoting the proliferation of spermatogenic stem cells: A comprehensive study using HPLC-Q-TOF/MS and experimental pharmacology

The classical traditional Chinese medicine formula Huangqi-Guizhi-Wuwutang (HGW) has been shown to enhance sperm production. However, the bioactive components and comprehensive mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects remain unclear. The present study investigates the potential active ingredients and underlying mechanisms of HGW against spermatogenesis dysfunction. The chemical components of HGW were analyzed by mass spectrometry. And then the "components-targets-pathway-disease" network was constructed using network pharmacology research methods, which aimed to identify the key active components and potential targets of HGW in treating oligospermia. Experimental validation was finally conducted in animal model. The male-specific pathogen-free Kunming mice were divided into five groups: Sham group, Model group, and HGW groups (8, 16, and 32 g/kg of HGW by gavage for 35 days). Chemical profile and network pharmacology results revealed that potential bioactive compounds were dihydrocinnacasside, isomucronulatol, and 6-gingerol, and the mechanism of which was enriched in regulating spermatogenic stem cells (SSCs), endocrine function, and apoptosis. The administration of HGW significantly improved oligospermia in mice. HGW significantly upregulated the expression of marker proteins in SSCs and the potential targets within the testis simultaneously. Our data indicates that HGW enhances the proliferation of SSCs, and HGW can be a promising therapeutic candidate for oligospermia.

Cordycepin improves hyperactivation and acrosome reaction through adenosine receptors during human sperm capacitation in vitro

BACKGROUND

Sperm capacitation is a prerequisite for natural or in vitro fertilization. After capacitation, sperm become hyperactivated and undergo an acrosome reaction, which helps them penetrate the oocyte. Cordycepin, a bioactive compound first isolated from Cordyceps militaris, is an adenosine analog with numerous physiological activities. However, its effects on sperm capacitation remain unclear. This study aims to elucidate the effects and mechanisms of cordycepin on human sperm capacitation.

METHODS

During in vitro capacitation culture, healthy human sperm were treated with cordycepin (20, 100, 500 µM). Sperm motility and hyperactivation were detected using a computer-assisted sperm analyzer. Sperm acrosome reaction was measured using fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated Pisum sativum agglutinin. Sperm protein kinase A (PKA) activity was analyzed using an ELISA kit. The levels of sperm protein tyrosine phosphorylation were detected by western blotting. Sperm DNA damage was detected by a sperm chromatin dispersion assay. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured using the fluorescence probe 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate. The expression and localization of adenosine receptors were analyzed by western blotting and immunofluorescence. The specific inhibitors of adenosine receptors were used to confirm their effects on cordycepin-induced sperm capacitation. Finally, molecular docking was performed to analyze the interaction between cordycepin and adenosine receptors.

RESULTS

Cordycepin improved hyperactivated sperm motility, acrosome reaction, PKA activity, and protein tyrosine phosphorylation during capacitation while having no obvious effects on sperm ROS or DNA damage. Four adenosine receptor subtypes were expressed in human sperm, but their localizations differed. Inhibition of adenosine receptors significantly decreased cordycepin-induced sperm hyperactivation and the acrosome reaction. Molecular docking showed that cordycepin can bind to the four subtypes of adenosine receptors.

CONCLUSION

Cordycepin may promote human sperm capacitation through adenosine receptor-mediated signaling pathways. These findings may be useful for assisted reproductive technology and animal breeding.

Kaempferol exerts antioxidant effects in age-related diminished ovarian reserve by regulating the HSP90/NRF2 pathway

Kaempferol is the active ingredient of Er-Xian decoction (EXD), a traditional Chinese medicine formula used clinically to treat ovarian dysfunction, but the mechanism of kaempferol relieving age-related diminished ovarian reserve (AR-DOR) is still unclear. In this study, 36 volunteers and 78 DOR patients (37 patients with EXD treatment) were enrolled in the clinical research. Meanwhile, 32-week-old female mice were used to establish the AR-DOR model, and these model mice were intragastrically administered with 100 mg/kg kaempferol in the presence or absence of 200 mg/kg geranylgeranylacetone (GGA) or 1 mg/kg geldanamycin (GDA). The effects of kaempferol on serum hormone levels and oxidative stress-related indexes were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Antral follicle count (AFC) was determined by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The protein levels of HSP90 and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) were assayed by Western blot. This study displayed that the serum anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) level in DOR patients with EXD treatment was higher than that in DOR patients without EXD treatment. Kaempferol treatment reversed the low levels of AMH, estradiol (E2), AFC, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT), as well as the high levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and malonaldehyde (MDA). The results showed that HSP90 was predicted to have high affinity with kaempferol, and its expression was inhibited by kaempferol, while the expression of NRF2, the target of HSP90, was up-regulated by kaempferol. However, the above effects of kaempferol were reversed by GGA. On the contrary, GDA enhanced the therapeutic effects of kaempferol on AR-DOR mice. Moreover, the treatment of kaempferol resulted in a reduction in the phosphorylation level of heat shock factor 1 (HSF1), the transcription factor associated with HSP90, and an increase in the phosphorylation level of Src, a client protein of HSP90. In summary, kaempferol exerts an antioxidant effect on AR-DOR by inhibiting HSP90 expression to up-regulate NRF2 expression. This study provides a theoretical basis for the clinical application of kaempferol in AR-DOR.

An Update on Protein Kinases as Therapeutic Targets-Part I: Protein Kinase C Activation and Its Role in Cancer and Cardiovascular Diseases

Protein kinases are one of the most significant drug targets in the human proteome, historically harnessed for the treatment of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and a growing number of other conditions, including autoimmune and inflammatory processes. Since the approval of the first kinase inhibitors in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the field has grown exponentially, comprising 98 approved therapeutics to date, 37 of which were approved between 2016 and 2021. While many of these small-molecule protein kinase inhibitors that interact orthosterically with the protein kinase ATP binding pocket have been massively successful for oncological indications, their poor selectively for protein kinase isozymes have limited them due to toxicities in their application to other disease spaces. Thus, recent attention has turned to the use of alternative allosteric binding mechanisms and improved drug platforms such as modified peptides to design protein kinase modulators with enhanced selectivity and other pharmacological properties. Herein we review the role of different protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms in cancer and cardiovascular disease, with particular attention to PKC-family inhibitors. We discuss translational examples and carefully consider the advantages and limitations of each compound (Part I). We also discuss the recent advances in the field of protein kinase modulators, leverage molecular docking to model inhibitor-kinase interactions, and propose mechanisms of action that will aid in the design of next-generation protein kinase modulators (Part II).

Graphene Oxide-Mediated Regulation of Volume Exclusion and Wettability in Biomimetic Phosphorylation-Responsive Ionic Gates

Replicating phosphorylation-responsive ionic gates via artificial fluidic systems is essential for biomolecular detection and cellular communication research. However, current approaches to governing the gates primarily rely on volume exclusion or surface charge modulation. To overcome this limitation and enhance ion transport controllability, we introduce graphene oxide (GO) into nanochannel systems, simultaneously regulating the volume exclusion and wettability. Moreover, inspired by (cAMP)-dependent protein kinase A (PKA)-regulated L-type Ca2+ channels, we employ peptides for phosphorylation which preserves them as nanoadhesives to coat nanochannels with GO. The coating boosts steric hindrance and diminishes wettability, creating a substantial ion conduction barrier, which represents a significant advancement in achieving precise ion transport regulation in abiotic nanochannels. Leveraging the mechanism, we also fabricated a sensitive biosensor for PKA activity detection and inhibition exploration. The combined regulation of volume exclusion and wettability offers an appealing strategy for controlled nanofluidic manipulation with promising biomedical applications in diagnosis and drug discovery.

Lipidomics profiles of human spermatozoa: insights into capacitation and acrosome reaction using UPLC-MS-based approach

Introduction

Lipidomics elucidates the roles of lipids in both physiological and pathological processes, intersecting with many diseases and cellular functions. The maintenance of lipid homeostasis, essential for cell health, significantly influences the survival, maturation, and functionality of sperm during fertilization. While capacitation and the acrosome reaction, key processes before fertilization, involve substantial lipidomic alterations, a comprehensive understanding of the changes in human spermatozoa's lipidomic profiles during these processes remains unknown. This study aims to explicate global lipidomic changes during capacitation and the acrosome reaction in human sperm, employing an untargeted lipidomic strategy using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS).

Methods

Twelve semen specimens, exceeding the WHO reference values for semen parameters, were collected. After discontinuous density gradient separation, sperm concentration was adjusted to 2 x 106 cells/ml and divided into three groups: uncapacitated, capacitated, and acrosome-reacted. UPLC-MS analysis was performed after lipid extraction from these groups. Spectral peak alignment and statistical analysis, using unsupervised principal component analysis (PCA), bidirectional orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (O2PLS-DA) analysis, and supervised partial least-squares-latent structure discriminate analysis (PLS-DA), were employed to identify the most discriminative lipids.

Results

The 1176 lipid peaks overlapped across the twelve individuals in the uncapacitated, capacitated, and acrosome-reacted groups: 1180 peaks between the uncapacitated and capacitated groups, 1184 peaks between the uncapacitated and acrosome-reacted groups, and 1178 peaks between the capacitated and acrosome-reacted groups. The count of overlapping peaks varied among individuals, ranging from 739 to 963 across sperm samples. Moreover, 137 lipids had VIP values > 1.0 and twenty-two lipids had VIP > 1.5, based on the O2PLS-DA model. Furthermore, the identified twelve lipids encompassed increases in PI 44:10, LPS 20:4, LPA 20:5, and LPE 20:4, and decreases in 16-phenyl-tetranor-PGE2, PC 40:6, PS 35:4, PA 29:1, 20-carboxy-LTB4, and 2-oxo-4-methylthio-butanoic acid.

Discussion

This study has been the first time to investigate the lipidomics profiles associated with acrosome reaction and capacitation in human sperm, utilizing UPLC-MS in conjunction with multivariate data analysis. These findings corroborate earlier discoveries on lipids during the acrosome reaction and unveil new metabolites. Furthermore, this research highlights the effective utility of UPLC-MS-based lipidomics for exploring diverse physiological states in sperm. This study offers novel insights into lipidomic changes associated with capacitation and the acrosome reaction in human sperm, which are closely related to male reproduction.

Seminal prolactin is associated with HSP90 transcript content in ejaculated spermatozoa

OBJECTIVE

Evidence indicates that an imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species and defense ability of antioxidants has clinical significance in the pathophysiology of male infertility. To investigate the role of seminal prolactin (PRL) in the fertilizing capacity of men, the present study evaluated the associations of seminal PRL levels with semen parameters and heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) transcript abundance in ejaculated spermatozoa.

METHODS

We assessed seminal PRL levels and the abundance of HSP90 transcripts in ejaculated spermatozoa from normozoospermic donors (n=18) and infertile men (n=18). The transcript content of HSP90 in ejaculated spermatozoa was analyzed using real-time polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

Seminal PRL concentrations in infertile patients were significantly lower (p=0.004) than in fertile controls. Seminal PRL showed relatively good diagnostic power for discriminating infertile men (area under the curve=0.776; 95% confidence interval, 0.568 to 0.934; p=0.005). Significant positive correlations were seen between seminal PRL levels and sperm count (r=0.400, p=0.016) and progressive motility (r=0.422, p=0.010). Infertile patients showed a significantly higher abundance of sperm HSP90 than fertile controls (p=0.040). Sperm HSP90 transcript abundance was negatively correlated with sperm progressive motility (r=0.394, p=0.018). Men with higher seminal PRL levels exhibited a lower abundance of sperm HSP90 transcripts.

CONCLUSION

Our finding demonstrated associations among semen quality, seminal PRL levels, and the abundance of HSP90 transcripts in ejaculated spermatozoa. Seminal PRL may contribute to male fertility by maintaining the seminal antioxidant capacity and may have the potential to act as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker.

Iberiotoxin and clofilium regulate hyperactivation, acrosome reaction, and ion homeostasis synergistically during human sperm capacitation

Potassium channels play essential roles in the regulation of male fertility. However, potassium channels mediating K⁺ currents in human sperm (I_KSper ) 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 pH_i , 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 pH_i , 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.

Redox Regulation to Modulate Phosphorylation Events in Human Spermatozoa

Significance: Spermatozoa are complex and compartmentalized cells that undergo capacitation, a series of biochemical and morphological changes to acquire the ability to fertilize oocytes. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have a prominent dual role in capacitation. At physiological levels, ROS regulate numerous cellular processes, including increases of cyclic adenosine monophosphate, calcium, and activation of phosphorylation events needed for capacitation. On the contrary, at high concentrations that do not impair sperm viability, ROS can cause loss of motility and inhibition of capacitation. Higher ROS concentrations promote oxidation of lipids, proteins, and DNA leading to cell death, and these damages have been associated with male infertility. Critical Issues: When incubated under specific conditions, spermatozoa can produce low and controlled amounts of ROS that are not harmful but instead regulate numerous cellular processes, including the phosphorylation of tyrosine, serine, and threonine residues in critical proteins needed for sperm capacitation. Here, we outline the complex redox signaling in human spermatozoa needed to achieve fertility and the role of ROS as physiological mediators that trigger phosphorylation cascades. Moreover, we illustrate the importance of various phosphoproteins in spermatozoa capacitation, viability, and hyperactive motility. Future Directions: Further studies to elucidate the different phosphorylation players during sperm capacitation and acrosome reaction (the regulated exocytotic event that releases proteolytic enzymes allowing the spermatozoon to penetrate the zona pellucida and fertilize the oocyte) are essential to understand how the spermatozoon acquires the fertilizing ability to fertilize the oocyte. This knowledge will serve to develop novel diagnostic tools and therapy for male infertility. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 37, 437-450.

Thermotaxis of mammalian sperm

Sperm are guided through the female reproductive tract. A temperature difference of about 2 °C exists between the storage site and fertilization site of the mammalian oviduct, leading to the hypothesis that sperm can sense and swim towards the oocyte along a rising temperature gradient, known as thermotaxis. Research over the past two decades has reported that sperm feature a sophisticated thermal detection system to detect and track ambient temperature gradients. More recently, thermotaxis is expected to be added to the microfluidic isolation method based on sperm tactic responses for sperm selection. In this paper, mammalian sperm thermotaxis is discussed, explaining the underlying behavioral mechanisms and molecular basis, according to the latest research. Finally, this paper explores the possible application of sperm thermotaxis in assisted reproductive technologies.

A novel small molecule Hsp90 inhibitor, C-316-1, attenuates acute kidney injury by suppressing RIPK1-mediated inflammation and necroptosis

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is marked by a fast deterioration of the kidney function that may be caused by a variety of factors. Recently, although our group found that PPBICA alleviated programmed cell death in AKI, poor water solubility limited its bioavailability. In this research, we screened a series of derivatives and found that C-316-1 had the best suppressive effect on preventing necroptosis and inflammation in cisplatin- and ischemia/reperfusion-induced AKI in vitro and in vivo with lower toxicity and better water solubility. Mass spectrometry results showed that C-316-1 bound to heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90), which was further confirmed by molecular docking and surface plasmon resonance. Additionally, the Hsp90 expression was upregulated in the blood and tissues of AKI patients. We discovered that C-316-1 decreased the RIPK1 protein level without affecting its mRNA expression. The proteasome inhibitor, MG132 restored the level of RIPK1 reduced by C-316-1, suggesting that C-316-1 limits necroptosis by promoting the degradation of RIPK1 rather than by reducing its production. Immunoprecipitation further showed that pretreatment with C-316-1 disrupted the Hsp90-Cdc37 protein-protein Interactions (PPIs). Thereby, C-316-1 inhibited the Hsp90-Cdc37 complex formation and led to a significant decrease in RIPK1, which in turn reduced necroptosis. Moreover, C-316-1 treatment did not protect against kidney injury in vivo and in vitro when Hsp90 was knocked down and R46, E47, and S50 in Cdc37 binding site of Hsp90 might form an important active pocket with C-316-1. These findings suggest that C-316-1 is a potential therapeutic agent against RIPK1-Mediated Necroptosis in AKI.

The cryopreservation process induces alterations in proteins associated with bull sperm quality: The equilibration process could be a probable critical control point

The present study quantitatively characterized the proteomic changes in bull spermatozoa induced by the cryopreservation process. We performed high-throughput comparative global proteomic profiling of freshly ejaculated (before cryopreservation), equilibrated (refrigerated storage; during cryopreservation), and frozen (ultralow temperature; after cryopreservation) bull spermatozoa. Using the liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) technique, a total of 1,692, 1,415, and 1,286 proteins were identified in fresh, equilibrated, and cryopreserved spermatozoa, respectively. When the proteome of fresh spermatozoa was compared with equilibrated spermatozoa, we found that 166 proteins were differentially expressed. When equilibrated spermatozoa were compared with cryopreserved spermatozoa, we found that 147 proteins were differentially expressed between them. Similarly, we found that 156 proteins were differentially expressed between fresh and cryopreserved spermatozoa. Among these proteins, the abundance of 105 proteins was lowered during the equilibration process itself, while the abundance of 43 proteins was lowered during ultralow temperature preservation. Remarkably, the equilibration process lowered the abundance of sperm proteins involved in energy metabolism, structural integrity, and DNA repair and increased the abundance of proteins associated with proteolysis and protein degradation. The abundance of sperm proteins associated with metabolism, cGMP-PKG (cyclic guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate-dependent protein kinase G) signaling, and regulation of the actin cytoskeleton was also altered during the equilibration process. Collectively, the present study showed that the equilibration step in the bull sperm cryopreservation process was the critical point for sperm proteome, during which a majority of proteomic alterations in sperm occurred. These findings are valuable for developing efficient protocols to minimize protein damage and to improve the quality and fertility of cryopreserved bull spermatozoa.

KCNQ1 Potassium Channel Expressed in Human Sperm Is Involved in Sperm Motility, Acrosome Reaction, Protein Tyrosine Phosphorylation, and Ion Homeostasis During Capacitation

Potassium channels are involved in membrane hyperpolarization and ion homeostasis regulation during human sperm capacitation. However, the types of potassium channels in human sperm remain controversial. The voltage-gated ion channel KCNQ1 is ubiquitously expressed and regulates key physiological processes in the human body. In the present study, we investigated whether KCNQ1 is expressed in human sperm and what role it might have in sperm function. The expression and localization of KCNQ1 in human sperm were evaluated using Western blotting and indirect immunofluorescence. During capacitation incubation, human sperm were treated with KCNQ1- specific inhibitor chromanol 293B. Sperm motility was analyzed using a computer-assisted sperm analyzer. The acrosome reaction was studied using fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated Pisum sativum agglutinin staining. Protein tyrosine phosphorylation levels and localization after capacitation were determined using Western blotting and immunofluorescence. Intracellular K⁺, Ca²⁺, Cl⁻, pH, and membrane potential were analyzed using fluorescent probes. The results demonstrate that KCNQ1 is expressed and localized in the head and tail regions of human sperm. KCNQ1 inhibition reduced sperm motility, acrosome reaction rates, and protein tyrosine phosphorylation but had no effect on hyperactivation. KCNQ1 inhibition also increased intracellular K⁺, membrane potential, and intracellular Cl⁻, while decreasing intracellular Ca²⁺ and pH. In conclusion, the KCNQ1 channel plays a crucial role during human sperm capacitation.

Hsp90 modulates human sperm capacitation via the Erk1/2 and p38 MAPK signaling pathways

BACKGROUND

Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) is a highly abundant eukaryotic molecular chaperone that plays important roles in client protein maturation, protein folding and degradation, and signal transduction. Previously, we found that both Hsp90 and its co-chaperone cell division cycle protein 37 (Cdc37) were expressed in human sperm. Hsp90 is known to be involved in human sperm capacitation via unknown underlying mechanism(s). As Cdc37 was a kinase-specific co-chaperone of Hsp90, Hsp90 may regulate human sperm capacitation via other kinases. It has been reported that two major mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (Erk1/2) and p38, are expressed in human sperm in the same locations as Hsp90 and Cdc37. Phosphorylated Erk1/2 has been shown to promote sperm hyperactivated motility and acrosome reaction, while phosphorylated p38 inhibits sperm motility. Therefore, in this study we explored whether Hsp90 modulates human sperm capacitation via the Erk1/2 and p38 MAPK signaling pathways.

METHODS

Human sperm was treated with the Hsp90-specific inhibitor 17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-AAG) during capacitation. Computer-assisted sperm analyzer (CASA) was used to detect sperm motility and hyperactivation. The sperm acrosome reaction was analyzed by using fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated Pisum sativum agglutinin (PSA-FITC) staining. The interactions between Hsp90, Cdc37, Erk1/2 and p38 were assessed using co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) experiments. Western blotting analysis was used to evaluate the levels of protein expression and phosphorylation.

RESULTS

Human sperm hyperactivation and acrosome reaction were inhibited by 17-AAG, suggesting that Hsp90 is involved in human sperm capacitation. In addition, Co-IP experiments revealed that 17-AAG reduced the interaction between Hsp90 and Cdc37, leading to the dissociation of Erk1/2 from the Hsp90-Cdc37 protein complex. Western blotting analysis revealed that levels of Erk1/2 and its phosphorylated form were subsequently decreased. Decreasing of Hsp90-Cdc37 complex also affected the interaction between Hsp90 and p38. Nevertheless, p38 dissociated from the Hsp90 protein complex and was activated by autophosphorylation.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, our findings indicate that Hsp90 is involved in human sperm hyperactivation and acrosome reaction. In particular, Hsp90 and its co-chaperone Cdc37 form a protein complex with Erk1/2 and p38 to regulate their kinase activity. These results suggest that Hsp90 regulates human sperm capacitation via the Erk1/2 and p38 MAPK signaling pathways.