Expression of the G-protein α-subunit gustducin in mammalian spermatozoa

Fehr, Johanna; Meyer, Dorke; Widmayer, Patricia; Borth, Heike; Ackermann, Frauke; Wilhelm, Beate; Gudermann, Thomas; Boekhoff, Ingrid

doi:10.1007/s00359-006-0168-8

Cited by 35 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 63 publications

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“…S1 and S2). In agreement with a previous study (28), we found that Tas1r2 mRNA is also expressed in the same cells ( Fig. 1 B and E; Fig.…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 94%

“…We also detected mRNAs for Tas1r3 and Tas1r2 in mature spermatozoa stored in the epididymis. These data are in agreement with previous reports showing GNAT3, TAS1R1, TAS1R2, and TAS1R3 in testis and in sperm (27)(28)(29)(30). It is noteworthy that TAS2R receptors that respond to bitter compounds in taste cells also are expressed in these postmeiotic cells (47,48).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

“…1 G and H). Tas1r2 expression in testis and Gnat3 and Tas1r1 expression in testis and sperm have been previously reported (28)(29)(30). It thus appears that many of the initial components of the sweet/umami taste signaling cascade are expressed in testis and are present in sperm.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 81%

“…Expression of Tas1rs and the associated "taste" G protein α-subunit (α-gustducin, encoded by the Gnat3 gene) has been noted in testes and in spermatozoa (27)(28)(29)(30)(31). However, before our present study, no functional role has been determined for these testes-expressed taste genes.…”

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confidence: 60%

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Genetic loss or pharmacological blockade of testes-expressed taste genes causes male sterility

Mosinger

Redding

Parker

et al. 2013

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

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TAS1R taste receptors and their associated heterotrimeric G protein gustducin are involved in sugar and amino acid sensing in taste cells and in the gastrointestinal tract. They are also strongly expressed in testis and sperm, but their functions in these tissues were previously unknown. Using mouse models, we show that the genetic absence of both TAS1R3, a component of sweet and amino acid taste receptors, and the gustducin α-subunit GNAT3 leads to malespecific sterility. To gain further insight into this effect, we generated a mouse model that expressed a humanized form of TAS1R3 susceptible to inhibition by the antilipid medication clofibrate. Sperm formation in animals without functional TAS1R3 and GNAT3 is compromised, with malformed and immotile sperm. Furthermore, clofibrate inhibition of humanized TAS1R3 in the genetic background of Tas1r3 −/− , Gnat3 −/− doubly null mice led to inducible male sterility. These results indicate a crucial role for these extraoral "taste" molecules in sperm development and maturation. We previously reported that blocking of human TAS1R3, but not mouse TAS1R3, can be achieved by common medications or chemicals in the environment. We hypothesize that even low levels of these compounds can lower sperm count and negatively affect human male fertility, which common mouse toxicology assays would not reveal. Conversely, we speculate that TAS1R3 and GNAT3 activators may help infertile men, particularly those that are affected by some of the mentioned inhibitors and/or are diagnosed with idiopathic infertility involving signaling pathway of these receptors.phenoxy compounds | spermiogenesis

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“…S1 and S2). In agreement with a previous study (28), we found that Tas1r2 mRNA is also expressed in the same cells ( Fig. 1 B and E; Fig.…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 94%

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 81%

mentioning

confidence: 60%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Genetic loss or pharmacological blockade of testes-expressed taste genes causes male sterility

Mosinger

Redding

Parker

et al. 2013

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

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“…Immunoelectron microscopic analysis was performed using immersion fixed mouse testis tissue as described in detail before (Fehr et al, 2007). The fixation solution consisted of 1.25% pformaldehyde, 0.5% glutaraldehyde and 0.025% picric acid in 0.1 M sodium cacodylate buffer (pH 7.3).…”

Section: Immunoelectron Microscopymentioning

confidence: 99%

The Multi‐PDZ domain protein MUPP1 as a lipid raft‐associated scaffolding protein controlling the acrosome reaction in mammalian spermatozoa

Ackermann

Zitranski

Heydecke

et al. 2007

Journal Cellular Physiology

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The success of acrosomal exocytosis, a complex process with a variety of interrelated steps, relies on the coordinated interaction of participating signaling molecules. Since scaffolding proteins are known to spatially organize sequential signaling pathways, we examined whether the Multi-PDZ domain protein MUPP1, recently identified in mammalian spermatozoa, is functionally active in controlling acrosomal secretion in mammalian sperm cells. To address this question, permeabilized mouse sperm were loaded with inhibitory antibodies against MUPP1 as well as with a photosensitive Ca 2þ chelator which allows a controlled release of acrosomal Ca 2þ. The results revealed that MUPP1 controls initial tethering and docking of the acrosomal vesicle, whereas syntaxin 2, a t-SNARE protein also expressed in the acrosomal cap of mammalian spermatozoa, appears to take part in the final process of acrosomal fusion. Interestingly, using immunogold electron microscopy, it was found that MUPP1 is detectable in the region of the periacrosomal membrane. Furthermore, in isolated detergent-insoluble glycolipid-enriched membrane domains from epididymal spermatozoa, MUPP1 was found to show a striking association with the Triton X-100 insoluble membrane fraction, which did not change significantly upon sperm capacitation or partial chemical extraction of cholesterol. This evidence points to a role of MUPP1 as a membrane raft-associated molecular organizer, and suggests that mammalian spermatozoa may use a scaffolding protein and distinct membrane subdomains to spatially organize components involved in the process of acrosomal exocytosis.

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Taste, Chemical Biology of

Behrens

Stähler

Shi

et al. 2008

Wiley Encyclopedia of Chemical Biology

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The mammalian sense of taste is crucial for evaluating food palatability and nutritional quality. To achieve the detection of relevant chemicals, evolution has shaped a set of receptor molecules that allow the detection of five basic taste qualities: sweet, umami, bitter, salty, and sour. Each taste modality has unique characteristics and serves a distinct function for an animal's nutrition. Therefore, we address the characteristics, the recent advances, the persisting difficulties, and the future perspectives of the basic taste qualities in separate paragraphs. Enormous progress has been made in the identification and the characterization of taste receptor molecules, and in the growing number of animal genomes accessible from databases, which has inspired us to devote a section of this review to discuss a series of sophisticated evolutionary studies on taste receptor molecules. Finally, evidence is accumulating to show that taste receptor and signal transduction molecules have nongustatory functions as well. The extragustatory expression of such genes and the resulting implications are summarized in the final section.

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Expression of the G-protein α-subunit gustducin in mammalian spermatozoa

Cited by 35 publications

References 63 publications

Genetic loss or pharmacological blockade of testes-expressed taste genes causes male sterility

Genetic loss or pharmacological blockade of testes-expressed taste genes causes male sterility

The Multi‐PDZ domain protein MUPP1 as a lipid raft‐associated scaffolding protein controlling the acrosome reaction in mammalian spermatozoa

Taste, Chemical Biology of

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