Phosphoproteomics and Bioinformatics Analyses Reveal Key Roles of GSK-3 and AKAP4 in Mouse Sperm Capacitation

Quantitative phosphoproteomic profiling of mouse sperm maturation in epididymis revealed kinases important for sperm motility

Transcriptionally and translationally silent sperm undergo functional maturation during epididymis traverse, which provides sperm ability to move and is crucial for successful fertilization. However, the molecular mechanisms governing sperm maturation remain poorly understood, especially at protein post-translational modification level. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive quantitative phosphoproteomic analysis of mouse epididymal sperm from different regions (caput, corpus, and cauda) to unveil the dynamics of protein phosphorylation during sperm maturation. We identified 6,447 phosphorylation sites in 1,407 phosphoproteins, and 345 phosphoproteins were differentially phosphorylated between caput and cauda sperm. Gene ontology and KEGG pathway analyses showed enrichment of differentially phosphorylated proteins in energy metabolism, sperm motility and fertilization. Kinase substrate network analysis followed by inhibition assay and quantitative phosphoproteomics analysis showed that TSSK2 kinase is important for sperm motility and progressive motility. This study systemically characterized the intricate phosphorylation regulation during sperm maturation in the mouse epididymis, which can be a basis to elucidate sperm motility acquisition, and to offer potential targets for male contraception and the treatment of male infertility.

Quantitative phosphoproteomics explain cryopreservation-induced reductions in ram sperm motility

Sperm cryopreservation decreases motility, probably due to changes in protein phosphorylation. Our objective was to use quantitative phosphoproteomics for systematic comparative analyses of fresh versus frozen-thawed sperm to identify factors causing cryo-injury. Ejaculates were collected (artificial vagina) from six Dorper rams, pooled, extended, and frozen over liquid nitrogen. Overall, 915, 3382, and 6875 phosphorylated proteins, phosphorylated peptides, and phosphorylation sites, respectively, were identified. At least two modified sites were present in 57.94% of the 6875 phosphosites identified, of which AKAP4 protein contained up to 331 modified sites. There were 732 phosphorylated peptides significantly up-regulated and 909 significantly down-regulated in frozen-thawed versus fresh sperm. Moreover, the conserved motif [RxxS] was significantly down-regulated in frozen-thawed sperm. Phosphorylation of sperm-specific proteins, e.g., AKAP3/4, CABYR, FSIP2, GSK3A/B, GPI, and ODF1/2 make them potential biomarkers to assess the quality of frozen-thawed ram sperm. Furthermore, these differentially phosphorylated proteins and modification sites were implicated in cryopreservation-induced changes in sperm energy production, fiber sheath composition, and various biological processes. We concluded that abnormal protein phosphorylation modifications are key regulators of reduced sperm motility. These novel findings implicated specific protein phosphorylation modifications in sperm cryo-injury. SIGNIFICANCE: This study used phosphorylated TMT quantitative proteomics to explore regulation of epigenetic modifications in frozen-thawed ram sperm. This experiment demonstrated that ram sperm freezing affects phosphorylation site modifications of proteins, especially those related to functions such as sperm motility and energy production. Furthermore, it is important to link functions of phosphorylated proteins with changes in sperm quality after freezing and thawing, and to clarify intrinsic reasons for sperm quality changes, which is of great importance for elucidating mechanisms of sperm freezing damage. Based on these protein markers and combined with cryoprotectant design theory, it provides a theoretical basis and data reference to study sperm cryoprotectants.

Quantitative phosphoproteomics analyses reveal the regulatory mechanisms related to frozen-thawed sperm capacitation and acrosome reaction in yak (Bos grunniens)

Mammalian spermatozoa are not mature after ejaculation and must undergo additional functional and structural changes within female reproductive tracts to achieve subsequent fertilization, including both capacitation and acrosome reaction (AR), which are dominated by post-translational modifications (PTMs), especially phosphorylation. However, the mechanism of protein phosphorylation during frozen-thawed sperm capacitation and AR has not been well studied. In this study, the phosphoproteomics approach was employed based on tandem mass tag (TMT) labeling combined with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) strategy to analyze frozen-thawed sperm in Ashidan yak under three sequential conditions (density gradient centrifugation-based purification, incubation in the capacitation medium and induction of AR processes by the calcium ionophore A23187 treatment). The identification of 1,377 proteins with 5,509 phosphorylation sites revealed changes in phosphorylation levels of sperm-specific proteins involved in regulation of spermatogenesis, sperm motility, energy metabolism, cilium movement, capacitation and AR. Some phosphorylated proteins, such as AKAP3, AKAP4, SPA17, PDMD11, CABYR, PRKAR1A, and PRKAR2A were found to regulate yak sperm capacitation and AR though the cAMP/PKA signaling pathway cascades. Notably, the phosphorylation level of SPA17 at Y156 increased in capacitated sperm, suggesting that it is also a novel functional protein besides AKAPs during sperm capacitation. Furthermore, the results of this study suggested that the phosphorylation of PRKAR1A and PRKAR2A, and the dephosphorylation of CABYR both play key regulatory role in yak sperm AR process. Protein-protein interaction analysis revealed that differentially phosphorylated proteins (AKAP3, AKAP4, FSIP2, PSMD11, CABYR, and TPPP2) related to capacitation and AR process played a key role in protein kinase A binding, sperm motility, reproductive process, cytoskeleton and sperm flagella function. Taken together, these data provide not only a solid foundation for further exploring phosphoproteome of sperm in yak, but an efficient way to identify sperm fertility-related marker phosphorylated proteins.

Sperm Phosphoproteome: Unraveling Male Infertility

Infertility affects approximately 15% of couples worldwide of childbearing age, and in many cases the etiology of male infertility is unknown. The current standard evaluation of semen is insufficient to establish an accurate diagnosis. Proteomics techniques, such as phosphoproteomics, applied in this field are a powerful tool to understand the mechanisms that regulate sperm functions such as motility, which is essential for successful fertilization. Among the post-translational modifications of sperm proteins, this review summarizes, from a proteomic perspective, the updated knowledge of protein phosphorylation, in human spermatozoa, as a relevant molecular mechanism involved in the regulation of sperm physiology. Specifically, the role of sperm protein phosphorylation in motility and, consequently, in sperm quality is highlighted. Additionally, through the analysis of published comparative phosphoproteomic studies, some candidate human sperm phosphoproteins associated with low sperm motility are proposed. Despite the remarkable advances in phosphoproteomics technologies, the relatively low number of studies performed in human spermatozoa suggests that phosphoproteomics has not been applied to its full potential in studying male infertility yet. Therefore, further studies will improve the application of this procedure and overcome the limitations, increasing the understanding of regulatory mechanisms underlying protein phosphorylation in sperm motility and, consequently, in male fertility.

Effect of insulin-like growth factor-1 complex of Simmental bull seminal plasma on post-thawed Kacang buck semen fertility

Background and Aim

Kacang buck sperm is cryosensitive due to the seminal plasma of semen itself. Meanwhile, bull seminal plasma contains the insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) complex, which is cryoprotective. The addition of the crude protein of Simmental bull seminal plasma increased the quality of post-thawed semen of Kacang buck. The study was conducted to determine the effects of Simmental bull seminal plasma with IGF-1 on the fertility of post-thawed Kacang buck semen.

Materials and Methods

Buck semen was diluted in the following skim milk-egg yolk extender preparations: Without the addition of Simmental bull seminal plasma IGF-1 complex protein (T0); with the addition of 12-μg Simmental bull seminal plasma IGF-1 complex protein (T1); and with the addition of 24-μg Simmental bull seminal plasma IGF-1 complex protein (T2). The extended semen was packed in 0.25-mL straws and frozen. Post-thawed semen fertility was evaluated based on the following variables: Sperm motility, viability, intact plasma membrane (IPM), malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, capacitation status, and acrosome reaction. The difference in each variable among the groups was evaluated using analysis of variance, followed by Tukey's honestly significant difference test, at a 95% level of significance. Meanwhile, principal component analysis (PCA) was used to identify the principal component of semen fertility among the seven parameters.

Results

The T1 group showed the highest sperm motility, viability, IPM, and percentage of incapacitated sperm and the lowest MDA levels, percentage of capacitated sperm, and acrosome reaction. PCA revealed that sperm motility had a moderate to very robust correlation with other variables and is the most crucial parameter, accounting for 80.79% of all variables.

Conclusion

The IGF-1 complex in Simmental bull seminal plasma was useful for increasing the fertility of post-thawed Kacang buck semen, and sperm motility was the principal component of semen fertility.

Editorial of Special Issue "Protein Post-Translational Modifications in Signal Transduction and Diseases"

The making of a protein is based on the combination of 20 different monomers (22 considering selenocysteine and pyrrolysine, the latest present only in some archaea and bacteria) giving the possibility of building a variety of structures from the simplest to the most complex, rigid or highly dynamic, and suited to carry out a wide range of structural and functional roles [...].