Comparative profiling of the sperm proteome

Abstract

The highly complex and species-selective mechanism of fertilization is a central theme of developmental biology. Gametogenesis, sperm activation, and egg-sperm recognition are fundamental biological processes, warranting detailed studies into the molecular composition of gametes. Biological MS has been instrumental for the comprehensive itemizing of gamete proteomes. The protein constellation of sperm cells and its subcellular structures has been established for a variety of animal species. Spermatogenesis and the crucial activation of sperm cells as a prerequisite of successful fertilization and physiological adaptations to external stressors was investigated using proteomics, as well as the underlying mechanisms of male infertility with respect to proteome-wide alterations. This review outlines recent achievements of sperm proteomics and exemplifies the usefulness of gel-based surveys by outlining the comparative analysis of abnormal spermatozoa in globozoospermia. Besides label-free MS techniques and cell-based labeling methodology, high-resolution fluorescence 2DE has been shown to be highly suitable as a proteomic biomarker discovery tool in sperm protein research. The appropriateness of novel protein markers for improving our understanding of normal spermatogenesis and sperm activation versus the molecular pathogenesis of male infertility will be discussed. New biomarker candidates might be useful to improve diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic aspects of infertility.

In-depth proteomic analysis of boar spermatozoa through shotgun and gel-based methods

“…So far, the rationale of selecting one technical approach over another has been driven by the objective of the study [ 30 ], and both methodologies have been used independently or in combination in many species for either profiling or discovery studies [ 25 , 26 ]. Contrary to many other species [ 22 , 31 ], gel-based proteomics have been the preferred methods in boar spermatozoa studies [ 32 – 34 ].…”

Redox regulation & sperm function

“…On the other hand, in vitro studies using sperm culture techniques for a long duration is difficult to study gene function that regulates sperm function. In this context, several molecules have been identified, including mRNAs, non-coding RNAs and proteins 25 26 . Specific alterations at the sperm proteomic levels have been identified to be the cause of perturbations within the spermatozoa, and several protein identification strategies have been utilized to substantiate the said fact.…”

Markers for Sperm Freezability and Relevance of Transcriptome Studies in Semen Cryopreservation: A Review

“…It is worth noting that proteins that are involved in the energy metabolism of spermatozoa play key roles in glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation, which are required to provide suicient energy for the sperm physiological functions [37]. The protein constellation of the SP and sperm cells, and their distinct subcompartments have been well documented in a numerous animal species, using a plethora of proteomicbased techniques [6,37,38]. While some speciic sperm protein markers facilitating good semen freezability have been identiied [10,24,39,40], their function depends on the presence of mRNA that can be translated into proteins in the spermatozoa.…”