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Yi S, Feng Y, Wang Y, Ma F. Sialylation: fate decision of mammalian sperm development, fertilization, and male fertility†. Biol Reprod 2023; 109:137-155. [PMID: 37379321 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioad067] [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: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Sperm development, maturation, and successful fertilization within the female reproductive tract are intricate and orderly processes that involve protein translation and post-translational modifications. Among these modifications, sialylation plays a crucial role. Any disruptions occurring throughout the sperm's life cycle can result in male infertility, yet our current understanding of this process remains limited. Conventional semen analysis often fails to diagnose some infertility cases associated with sperm sialylation, emphasizing the need to comprehend and investigate the characteristics of sperm sialylation. This review reanalyzes the significance of sialylation in sperm development and fertilization and evaluates the impact of sialylation damage on male fertility under pathological conditions. Sialylation serves a vital role in the life journey of sperm, providing a negatively charged glycocalyx and enriching the molecular structure of the sperm surface, which is beneficial to sperm reversible recognition and immune interaction. These characteristics are particularly crucial during sperm maturation and fertilization within the female reproductive tract. Moreover, enhancing the understanding of the mechanism underlying sperm sialylation can promote the development of relevant clinical indicators for infertility detection and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiqi Yi
- Center for Translational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Ying Feng
- West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Fang Ma
- Center for Translational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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2
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Fliniaux I, Marchand G, Molinaro C, Decloquement M, Martoriati A, Marin M, Bodart JF, Harduin-Lepers A, Cailliau K. Diversity of sialic acids and sialoglycoproteins in gametes and at fertilization. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:982931. [PMID: 36340022 PMCID: PMC9630641 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.982931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Sialic acids are a family of 9-carbon monosaccharides with particular physicochemical properties. They modulate the biological functions of the molecules that carry them and are involved in several steps of the reproductive process. Sialoglycoproteins participate in the balance between species recognition and specificity, and the mechanisms of these aspects remain an issue in gametes formation and binding in metazoan reproduction. Sialoglycoproteins form a specific coat at the gametes surface and specific polysialylated chains are present on marine species oocytes. Spermatozoa are submitted to critical sialic acid changes in the female reproductive tract facilitating their migration, their survival through the modulation of the female innate immune response, and the final oocyte-binding event. To decipher the role of sialic acids in gametes and at fertilization, the dynamical changes of enzymes involved in their synthesis and removal have to be further considered.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Katia Cailliau
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, UMR 8576-UGSF-Unité de Glycobiologie Structurale et Fonctionnelle, Lille, France
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3
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Trötschel C, Hamzeh H, Alvarez L, Pascal R, Lavryk F, Bönigk W, Körschen HG, Müller A, Poetsch A, Rennhack A, Gui L, Nicastro D, Strünker T, Seifert R, Kaupp UB. Absolute proteomic quantification reveals design principles of sperm flagellar chemosensation. EMBO J 2020; 39:e102723. [PMID: 31880004 PMCID: PMC7024835 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2019102723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2019] [Revised: 11/19/2019] [Accepted: 11/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cilia serve as cellular antennae that translate sensory information into physiological responses. In the sperm flagellum, a single chemoattractant molecule can trigger a Ca2+ rise that controls motility. The mechanisms underlying such ultra-sensitivity are ill-defined. Here, we determine by mass spectrometry the copy number of nineteen chemosensory signaling proteins in sperm flagella from the sea urchin Arbacia punctulata. Proteins are up to 1,000-fold more abundant than the free cellular messengers cAMP, cGMP, H+ , and Ca2+ . Opto-chemical techniques show that high protein concentrations kinetically compartmentalize the flagellum: Within milliseconds, cGMP is relayed from the receptor guanylate cyclase to a cGMP-gated channel that serves as a perfect chemo-electrical transducer. cGMP is rapidly hydrolyzed, possibly via "substrate channeling" from the channel to the phosphodiesterase PDE5. The channel/PDE5 tandem encodes cGMP turnover rates rather than concentrations. The rate-detection mechanism allows continuous stimulus sampling over a wide dynamic range. The textbook notion of signal amplification-few enzyme molecules process many messenger molecules-does not hold for sperm flagella. Instead, high protein concentrations ascertain messenger detection. Similar mechanisms may occur in other small compartments like primary cilia or dendritic spines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Trötschel
- Fakultät für Biologie und BiotechnologieRuhr‐Universität BochumBochumGermany
| | - Hussein Hamzeh
- Center of Advanced European Studies and Research (caesar), Molecular Sensory SystemsBonnGermany
- Marine Biological LaboratoryWoods HoleMAUSA
| | - Luis Alvarez
- Center of Advanced European Studies and Research (caesar), Molecular Sensory SystemsBonnGermany
| | - René Pascal
- Center of Advanced European Studies and Research (caesar), Molecular Sensory SystemsBonnGermany
| | - Fedir Lavryk
- Center of Advanced European Studies and Research (caesar), Molecular Sensory SystemsBonnGermany
| | - Wolfgang Bönigk
- Center of Advanced European Studies and Research (caesar), Molecular Sensory SystemsBonnGermany
| | - Heinz G Körschen
- Center of Advanced European Studies and Research (caesar), Molecular Sensory SystemsBonnGermany
| | - Astrid Müller
- Center of Advanced European Studies and Research (caesar), Molecular Sensory SystemsBonnGermany
| | - Ansgar Poetsch
- Fakultät für Biologie und BiotechnologieRuhr‐Universität BochumBochumGermany
- Present address:
Center for Marine and Molecular BiotechnologyQNLMQindaoChina
- Present address:
College of Marine Life SciencesOcean University of ChinaQingdaoChina
| | - Andreas Rennhack
- Center of Advanced European Studies and Research (caesar), Molecular Sensory SystemsBonnGermany
| | - Long Gui
- Departments of Cell Biology and BiophysicsUniversity of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterDallasTXUSA
| | - Daniela Nicastro
- Departments of Cell Biology and BiophysicsUniversity of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterDallasTXUSA
| | - Timo Strünker
- Center of Advanced European Studies and Research (caesar), Molecular Sensory SystemsBonnGermany
- Marine Biological LaboratoryWoods HoleMAUSA
- Center of Reproductive Medicine and AndrologyUniversity Hospital MünsterMünsterGermany
| | - Reinhard Seifert
- Center of Advanced European Studies and Research (caesar), Molecular Sensory SystemsBonnGermany
- Marine Biological LaboratoryWoods HoleMAUSA
| | - U Benjamin Kaupp
- Center of Advanced European Studies and Research (caesar), Molecular Sensory SystemsBonnGermany
- Marine Biological LaboratoryWoods HoleMAUSA
- Life& Medical Sciences Institute (LIMES)University of BonnBonnGermany
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4
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Effect of expression alteration in flanking genes on phenotypes of St8sia2-deficient mice. Sci Rep 2019; 9:13634. [PMID: 31541165 PMCID: PMC6754417 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-50006-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2019] [Accepted: 08/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
ST8 alpha-N-acetyl-neuraminide alpha-2,8-sialyltransferase 2 (ST8SIA2) synthesizes polysialic acid (PSA), which is essential for brain development. Although previous studies reported that St8sia2-deficient mice that have a mixed 129 and C57BL/6 (B6) genetic background showed mild and variable phenotypes, the reasons for this remain unknown. We hypothesized that this phenotypic difference is caused by diversity in the expression or function of flanking genes of St8sia2. A genomic polymorphism and gene expression analysis in the flanking region revealed reduced expression of insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (Igf1r) on the B6 background than on that of the 129 strain. This observation, along with the finding that administration of an IGF1R agonist during pregnancy increased litter size, suggests that the decreased expression of Igf1r associated with ST8SIA2 deficiency caused lethality. This study demonstrates the importance of gene expression level in the flanking regions of a targeted null allele having an effect on phenotype.
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Hamzeh H, Alvarez L, Strünker T, Kierzek M, Brenker C, Deal PE, Miller EW, Seifert R, Kaupp UB. Kinetic and photonic techniques to study chemotactic signaling in sea urchin sperm. Methods Cell Biol 2019; 151:487-517. [PMID: 30948028 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mcb.2018.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Sperm from sea urchins are attracted by chemical cues released by the egg-a mechanism called chemotaxis. We describe here the signaling pathway and molecular components endowing sperm with single-molecule sensitivity. Chemotactic signaling and behavioral responses occur on a timescale of a few milliseconds to seconds. We describe the techniques and chemical tools used to resolve the signaling events in time. The techniques include rapid-mixing devices, rapid stroboscopic microscopy, and photolysis of caged second messengers and chemoattractants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hussein Hamzeh
- Department of Molecular Sensory Systems, Center of Advanced European Studies and Research (caesar), Bonn, Germany
| | - Luis Alvarez
- Department of Molecular Sensory Systems, Center of Advanced European Studies and Research (caesar), Bonn, Germany
| | - Timo Strünker
- Center of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University Hospital Münster, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Michelina Kierzek
- Center of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University Hospital Münster, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Christoph Brenker
- Center of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University Hospital Münster, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Parker E Deal
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Evan W Miller
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA, United States; Department of Molecular & Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, United States; Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Reinhard Seifert
- Department of Molecular Sensory Systems, Center of Advanced European Studies and Research (caesar), Bonn, Germany
| | - U Benjamin Kaupp
- Department of Molecular Sensory Systems, Center of Advanced European Studies and Research (caesar), Bonn, Germany.
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Salustri A, Campagnolo L, Klinger FG, Camaioni A. Molecular organization and mechanical properties of the hyaluronan matrix surrounding the mammalian oocyte. Matrix Biol 2018; 78-79:11-23. [PMID: 29408277 DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2018.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2018] [Revised: 01/31/2018] [Accepted: 02/01/2018] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Successful ovulation and oocyte fertilization are essential prerequisites for the beginning of life in sexually reproducing animals. In mammalian fertilization, the relevance of the protein coat surrounding the oocyte plasma membrane, known as zona pellucida, has been widely recognized, while, until not too long ago, the general belief was that the cumulus oophorus, consisting of follicle cells embedded in a hyaluronan rich extracellular matrix, was not essential. This opinion was based on in vitro fertilization procedures, in which a large number of sperms are normally utilized and the oocyte can be fertilized even if depleted of cumulus cells. Conversely, in vivo, only very few sperm cells reach the fertilization site, arguing against the possibility of a coincidental encounter with the oocyte. In the last two decades, proteins required for HA organization in the cumulus extracellular matrix have been identified and the study of fertility in mice deprived of the corresponding genes have provided compelling evidence that this jelly-like coat is critical for fertilization. This review focuses on the advances in understanding the molecular interactions making the cumulus environment suitable for oocyte and sperm encounter. Most of the studies on the molecular characterization of the cumulus extracellular matrix have been performed in the mouse and we will refer essentially to findings obtained in this animal model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonietta Salustri
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Histology and Embryology Section, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy.
| | - Luisa Campagnolo
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Histology and Embryology Section, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Gioia Klinger
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Histology and Embryology Section, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Antonella Camaioni
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Histology and Embryology Section, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
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7
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Kinoshita N, Nagasato C, Motomura T. Chemotactic movement in sperm of the oogamous brown algae, Saccharina japonica and Fucus distichus. PROTOPLASMA 2017; 254:547-555. [PMID: 27108001 DOI: 10.1007/s00709-016-0974-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2016] [Accepted: 04/11/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
In oogamous species of brown algae such as Saccharina japonica and Fucus distichus, the sperm possess an unusual long posterior flagellum, which oscillates actively and produces a propulsive force during swimming. In this study, we quantitatively analyzed the effect of chemotactic responses on sperm swimming and flagellar waveforms by high-speed video recordings. We found that the thigmotactic response to the chemo-attractant was not enhanced during chemotactic swimming and that the swimming velocity of sperm did not decrease. As concentration of the chemo-attractant decreased, the sperm performed drastic U-turn movements, which was caused by a rapid and large bend of the posterior flagellum. Unilateral bending of the posterior flagellum when sensing a decrease in the concentration of the chemo-attractant may be a common response in male gametes during fertilization of brown algae both oogamous and isogamous species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nana Kinoshita
- Graduate School of Environmental Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0810, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Chikako Nagasato
- Muroran Marine Station, Field Science Center for Northern Biosphere, Hokkaido University, Muroran, 051-0013, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Taizo Motomura
- Muroran Marine Station, Field Science Center for Northern Biosphere, Hokkaido University, Muroran, 051-0013, Hokkaido, Japan.
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8
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Kekäläinen J, Evans JP. Female-induced remote regulation of sperm physiology may provide opportunities for gamete-level mate choice. Evolution 2016; 71:238-248. [DOI: 10.1111/evo.13141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2016] [Revised: 11/10/2016] [Accepted: 11/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jukka Kekäläinen
- Centre for Evolutionary Biology, School of Animal Biology; University of Western Australia; Crawley WA 6009 Australia
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences; University of Eastern Finland; Joensuu Finland
| | - Jonathan P. Evans
- Centre for Evolutionary Biology, School of Animal Biology; University of Western Australia; Crawley WA 6009 Australia
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9
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Inaba K. Calcium sensors of ciliary outer arm dynein: functions and phylogenetic considerations for eukaryotic evolution. Cilia 2015; 4:6. [PMID: 25932323 PMCID: PMC4415241 DOI: 10.1186/s13630-015-0015-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2014] [Accepted: 03/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The motility of eukaryotic cilia and flagella is modulated in response to several extracellular stimuli. Ca(2+) is the most critical intracellular factor for these changes in motility, directly acting on the axonemes and altering flagellar asymmetry. Calaxin is an opisthokont-specific neuronal calcium sensor protein first described in the sperm of the ascidian Ciona intestinalis. It binds to a heavy chain of two-headed outer arm dynein in a Ca(2+)-dependent manner and regulates 'asymmetric' wave propagation at high concentrations of Ca(2+). A Ca(2+)-binding subunit of outer arm dynein in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, the light chain 4 (LC4), which is a Ca(2+)-sensor phylogenetically different from calaxin, shows Ca(2+)-dependent binding to a heavy chain of three-headed outer arm dynein. However, LC4 appears to participate in 'symmetric' wave propagation at high concentrations of Ca(2+). LC4-type dynein light chain is present in bikonts, except for some subclasses of the Excavata. Thus, flagellar asymmetry-symmetry conversion in response to Ca(2+) concentration represents a 'mirror image' relationship between Ciona and Chlamydomonas. Phylogenetic analyses indicate the duplication, divergence, and loss of heavy chain and Ca(2+)-sensors of outer arm dynein among excavate species. These features imply a divergence point with respect to Ca(2+)-dependent regulation of outer arm dynein in cilia and flagella during the evolution of eukaryotic supergroups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuo Inaba
- Shimoda Marine Research Center, University of Tsukuba, 5-10-1 Shimoda, Shizuoka, 415-0025 Japan
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10
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Gerardy-Schahn R, Delannoy P, von Itzstein M. Advanced Technologies in Sialic Acid and Sialoglycoconjugate Analysis. Top Curr Chem (Cham) 2015; 367:75-103. [PMID: 26017094 PMCID: PMC7122537 DOI: 10.1007/128_2013_458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Although the structural diversity of sialic acid (Sia) is rapidly expanding, understanding of its biological significance has lagged behind. Advanced technologies to detect and probe diverse structures of Sia are absolutely necessary not only to understand further biological significance but also to pursue medicinal and industrial applications. Here we describe analytical methods for detection of Sia that have recently been developed or improved, with a special focus on 9-O-acetylated N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5,9Ac), N-glycolylneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc), deaminoneuraminic acid (Kdn), O-sulfated Sia (SiaS), and di-, oligo-, and polysialic acid (diSia/oligoSia/polySia) in glycoproteins and glycolipids. Much more attention has been paid to these Sia and sialoglycoconjugates during the last decade, in terms of regulation of the immune system, neural development and function, tumorigenesis, and aging.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Philippe Delannoy
- Lille University of Science and Technology, Villeneuve d'Ascq Cedex, France
| | - Mark von Itzstein
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Southport, Queensland Australia
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11
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Colley KJ, Kitajima K, Sato C. Polysialic acid: biosynthesis, novel functions and applications. Crit Rev Biochem Mol Biol 2014; 49:498-532. [PMID: 25373518 DOI: 10.3109/10409238.2014.976606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
As an anti-adhesive, a reservoir for key biological molecules, and a modulator of signaling, polysialic acid (polySia) is critical for nervous system development and maintenance, promotes cancer metastasis, tissue regeneration and repair, and is implicated in psychiatric diseases. In this review, we focus on the biosynthesis and functions of mammalian polySia, and the use of polySia in therapeutic applications. PolySia modifies a small subset of mammalian glycoproteins, with the neural cell adhesion molecule, NCAM, serving as its major carrier. Studies show that mammalian polysialyltransferases employ a unique recognition mechanism to limit the addition of polySia to a select group of proteins. PolySia has long been considered an anti-adhesive molecule, and its impact on cell adhesion and signaling attributed directly to this property. However, recent studies have shown that polySia specifically binds neurotrophins, growth factors, and neurotransmitters and that this binding depends on chain length. This work highlights the importance of considering polySia quality and quantity, and not simply its presence or absence, as its various roles are explored. The capsular polySia of neuroinvasive bacteria allows these organisms to evade the host immune response. While this "stealth" characteristic has made meningitis vaccine development difficult, it has also made polySia a worthy replacement for polyetheylene glycol in the generation of therapeutic proteins with low immunogenicity and improved circulating half-lives. Bacterial polysialyltransferases are more promiscuous than the protein-specific mammalian enzymes, and new studies suggest that these enzymes have tremendous therapeutic potential, especially for strategies aimed at neural regeneration and tissue repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen J Colley
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Illinois at Chicago , Chicago, IL , USA and
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12
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A study of spermatozoan swimming stability near a surface. J Theor Biol 2014; 360:187-199. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2014.06.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2014] [Revised: 06/25/2014] [Accepted: 06/26/2014] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
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13
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Alvarez L, Friedrich BM, Gompper G, Kaupp UB. The computational sperm cell. Trends Cell Biol 2013; 24:198-207. [PMID: 24342435 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2013.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2013] [Revised: 10/13/2013] [Accepted: 10/14/2013] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Sperm are guided to the egg by a gradient of chemical attractants - a process called chemotaxis. The binding of the chemoattractant to receptors on the surface of the flagellum triggers a cascade of signaling events that eventually lead to an influx of Ca(2+) ions. Based on these Ca(2+) surges, which control the waveform of the flagellar beat, sperm adjust their swimming path toward the egg. In past years, many components of chemotactic signaling have been identified. Moreover, kinetic spectroscopy and imaging techniques unraveled the sequence of cellular events controlling swimming behavior. During navigation in a chemical gradient, sperm perform a surprising variety of computational operations. Here we discuss theoretical concepts of navigation strategies and the cellular underpinnings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Alvarez
- Center of Advanced European Studies and Research (CAESAR), Ludwig-Erhard-Allee 2, 53175 Bonn, Germany.
| | - Benjamin M Friedrich
- Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems, Nöthnitzer Straße 38, 01187 Dresden, Germany
| | - Gerhard Gompper
- Research Centre Jülich, Institute of Complex Systems (ICS-2), 52425 Jülich, Germany
| | - U Benjamin Kaupp
- Center of Advanced European Studies and Research (CAESAR), Ludwig-Erhard-Allee 2, 53175 Bonn, Germany.
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14
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Sato C, Kitajima K. Disialic, oligosialic and polysialic acids: distribution, functions and related disease. J Biochem 2013; 154:115-36. [DOI: 10.1093/jb/mvt057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 130] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
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15
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Sato C, Kitajima K. Impact of structural aberrancy of polysialic acid and its synthetic enzyme ST8SIA2 in schizophrenia. Front Cell Neurosci 2013; 7:61. [PMID: 23675315 PMCID: PMC3646324 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2013.00061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2013] [Accepted: 04/16/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Psychiatric disorders are a group of human diseases that impair higher cognitive functions. Whole-genomic analyses have recently identified susceptibility genes for several psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia. Among the genes reported to be involved in psychiatric disorders, a gene encoding a polysialyltransferase involved in the biosynthesis of polysialic acid (polySia or PSA) on cell surfaces has attracted attention for its potential role in emotion, learning, memory, circadian rhythm, and behaviors. PolySia is a unique polymer that spatio-temporally modifies neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) and is predominantly found in embryonic brains, although it persists in areas of the adult brain where neural plasticity, remodeling of neural connections, or neural generation is ongoing, such as the hippocampus, subventricular zone (SVZ), thalamus, prefrontal cortex, and amygdala. PolySia is thought to be involved in the regulation of cell-cell interactions; however, recent evidence suggests that it is also involved in the functional regulation of ion channels and neurologically active molecules, such as Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), FGF2, and dopamine (DA) that are deeply involved in psychiatric disorders. In this review, the possible involvement of polysialyltransferase (ST8SIA2/ST8SiaII/STX/Siat8B) and its enzymatic product, polySia, in schizophrenia is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chihiro Sato
- Laboratory of Animal Cell Function, Bioscience and Biotechnology Center, Nagoya University Nagoya, Japan
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16
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Gallo A, Costantini M. Glycobiology of reproductive processes in marine animals: the state of the art. Mar Drugs 2012; 10:2861-92. [PMID: 23247316 PMCID: PMC3528131 DOI: 10.3390/md10122861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2012] [Revised: 11/23/2012] [Accepted: 11/29/2012] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Glycobiology is the study of complex carbohydrates in biological systems and represents a developing field of science that has made huge advances in the last half century. In fact, it combines all branches of biomedical research, revealing the vast and diverse forms of carbohydrate structures that exist in nature. Advances in structure determination have enabled scientists to study the function of complex carbohydrates in more depth and to determine the role that they play in a wide range of biological processes. Glycobiology research in marine systems has primarily focused on reproduction, in particular for what concern the chemical communication between the gametes. The current status of marine glycobiology is primarily descriptive, devoted to characterizing marine glycoconjugates with potential biomedical and biotechnological applications. In this review, we describe the current status of the glycobiology in the reproductive processes from gametogenesis to fertilization and embryo development of marine animals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maria Costantini
- Laboratory of Animal Physiology and Evolution, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, Naples 80121, Italy; E-Mail:
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Kasekarn W, Kanazawa T, Hori K, Tsuchiyama T, Lian X, Garénaux E, Kongmanas K, Tanphaichitr N, Yasue H, Sato C, Kitajima K. Pig sperm membrane microdomains contain a highly glycosylated 15-25-kDa wheat germ agglutinin-binding protein. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2012; 426:356-62. [PMID: 22943851 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2012.08.090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2012] [Accepted: 08/19/2012] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
A highly glycosylated protein, which has unique, novel features in localization, structure, and potential function, is found in pig sperm, and named WGA-gp due to its high binding property with wheat germ agglutinin (WGA). WGA-gp is localized mainly in flagella and enriched in membrane microdomains or lipid rafts. It is not detected by ordinary protein staining methods due to a high content of both N- and O-glycans consisting of neutral monosaccharides. Interestingly, WGA-gp may be involved in intracellular Ca(2+) regulation. Treatment of sperm with anti-WGA-gp antibody enhances the amplitude of Ca(2+) oscillation without changing the basal intracellular Ca(2+) concentrations. All these features of WGA-gp, except for different carbohydrate structures occupying most part of the molecules, are similar to those of flagellasialin in sea urchin sperm, which regulates the intracellular Ca(2+) concentration. Presence of carbohydrate-enriched flagellar proteins involved in intracellular Ca(2+) regulation may be a common feature among animal sperm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Waraporn Kasekarn
- Bioscience and Biotechnology Center, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan.
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18
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Alvarez L, Dai L, Friedrich BM, Kashikar ND, Gregor I, Pascal R, Kaupp UB. The rate of change in Ca(2+) concentration controls sperm chemotaxis. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012; 196:653-63. [PMID: 22371558 PMCID: PMC3307702 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.201106096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Sperm navigate in a chemoattractant gradient by translating changes in intracellular calcium concentration over time into changes in curvature of the swimming path. During chemotaxis and phototaxis, sperm, algae, marine zooplankton, and other microswimmers move on helical paths or drifting circles by rhythmically bending cell protrusions called motile cilia or flagella. Sperm of marine invertebrates navigate in a chemoattractant gradient by adjusting the flagellar waveform and, thereby, the swimming path. The waveform is periodically modulated by Ca2+ oscillations. How Ca2+ signals elicit steering responses and shape the path is unknown. We unveil the signal transfer between the changes in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) and path curvature (κ). We show that κ is modulated by the time derivative d[Ca2+]i/dt rather than the absolute [Ca2+]i. Furthermore, simulation of swimming paths using various Ca2+ waveforms reproduces the wealth of swimming paths observed for sperm of marine invertebrates. We propose a cellular mechanism for a chemical differentiator that computes a time derivative. The cytoskeleton of cilia, the axoneme, is highly conserved. Thus, motile ciliated cells in general might use a similar cellular computation to translate changes of [Ca2+]i into motion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Alvarez
- Department of Molecular Sensory Systems, Center of Advanced European Studies and Research (caesar), 53175 Bonn, Germany.
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Zhu L, Inaba K. Lipid rafts function in Ca2+ signaling responsible for activation of sperm motility and chemotaxis in the ascidian Ciona intestinalis. Mol Reprod Dev 2011; 78:920-9. [PMID: 21887722 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.21382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2011] [Accepted: 08/06/2011] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Lipid rafts are specialized membrane microdomains that function as signaling platforms across plasma membranes of many animal and plant cells. Although there are several studies implicating the role of lipid rafts in capacitation of mammalian sperm, the function of these structures in sperm motility activation and chemotaxis remains unknown. In the ascidian Ciona intestinalis, egg-derived sperm activating- and attracting-factor (SAAF) induces both activation of sperm motility and sperm chemotaxis to the egg. Here we found that a lipid raft disrupter, methyl-β-cyclodextrin (MCD), inhibited both SAAF-induced sperm motility activation and chemotaxis. MCD inhibited both SAAF-promoted synthesis of intracellular cyclic AMP and sperm motility induced by ionophore-mediated Ca(2+) entry, but not that induced by valinomycin-mediated hyperpolarization. Ca(2+)-imaging revealed that lipid raft disruption inhibited Ca(2+) influx upon activation of sperm motility. The Ca(2+)-activated adenylyl cyclase was clearly inhibited by MCD in isolated lipid rafts. The results suggest that sperm lipid rafts function in signaling upstream of cAMP synthesis, most likely in SAAF-induced Ca(2+) influx, and are required for Ca(2+)-dependent pathways underlying activation and chemotaxis in Ciona sperm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lihong Zhu
- Shimoda Marine Research Center, University of Tsukuba, Shizuoka, Japan
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Miyata S, Yamakawa N, Toriyama M, Sato C, Kitajima K. Co-expression of two distinct polysialic acids, α2,8- and α2,9-linked polymers of N-acetylneuraminic acid, in distinct glycoproteins and glycolipids in sea urchin sperm. Glycobiology 2011; 21:1596-605. [DOI: 10.1093/glycob/cwr081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
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21
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Sato C, Kitajima K. New Functions of Polysialic Acid and Its Relationship to Schizophrenia. TRENDS GLYCOSCI GLYC 2011. [DOI: 10.4052/tigg.23.221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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