Intracellular events and signaling pathways involved in sperm acquisition of fertilizing capacity and acrosome reaction

Baldi, Elisabetta; Luconi, Michaela; Bonaccorsi, Lorella; Muratori, Monica; Forti, Gianni

doi:10.2741/baldi

Cited by 95 publications

(70 citation statements)

References 129 publications

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“…The exact mechanisms and signalling cascade involved in transducing zona pellucida induction to the opening of CatSper channels are currently unknown and subject to further investigations. For several mammalian species, BSA is a well known factor for successful in-vitro sperm capacitation (Baldi et al, 2000). Similar to zona pellucidas, acute application of BSA induces [Ca 2+ ]i rise, but it is only a rapid phase of activation that lasts up to 20 s. An increase in [Ca 2+ ]i induced by BSA starts in the sperm flagellum and propagates to the head.…”

Section: Catsper Regulation and Signallingmentioning

confidence: 99%

CatSper channel, sperm function and male fertility

Singh

Rajender

2015

Reproductive BioMedicine Online

106

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A number of physiological events, such as sperm hyperactivation, chemotaxis towards the egg, capacitation and acrosome reaction, are triggered by activation of sperm ion channels in response to a diverse range of chemical cues. Cation channel of sperm (CatSper), a sperm-specific ion channel, is unique in orchestrating the events for fertilization, and seems to be exclusively evolved for sperm function and male fertility. CatSper acts as a polymodal, chemosensory calcium channel and plays a vital role in the regulation of sperm hyperactivation. CatSper knockout models and application of patch clamp recordings have shown that it is indispensable for male fertility, and mutations and deletions in CatSper gene(s) may lead to infertility. In fact, mutations in CatSper1 and 2 have been identified in infertile individuals; however, CatSper3 and 4 have not been explored. Restricted localization and expression of CatSper in sperm offer an added advantage to developing gamete-based safe non-hormonal contraceptives. This review concisely covers identification, structure, function, and mechanism of action of CatSper channels. The functional importance of this complex ion channel in sperm motility and male fertility is highlighted for further research on male fertility, infertility, and contraception.

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Section: Catsper Regulation and Signallingmentioning

confidence: 99%

CatSper channel, sperm function and male fertility

Singh

Rajender

2015

Reproductive BioMedicine Online

106

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“…Proteins such as heat shock 90-kDa protein (HSP90AA1) [27], heat shock 60-kDa protein 1 (HSPD1), and heat shock protein 90-kDa beta (Grp94; HSP90B1) [28] are tyrosine phosphorylated, and the latter two have been suggested to participate in mouse sperm zona binding. In human, MAPK3 and MAPK1 (extracellular signal-regulated kinases [ERKs] 1 and 2) have also been reported to be tyrosine phosphorylated and activated during sperm capacitation [29].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Increased Activity of the Human Sperm Tyrosine Kinase SRC by the cAMP-Dependent Pathway in the Presence of Calcium1

Lawson

Goupil

Leclerc

2008

Biology of Reproduction

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SRC-related tyrosine kinases are suggested to play a role in the increase of sperm protein phosphotyrosine content that occurs during capacitation. In our laboratory, we previously demonstrated that the SRC-related tyrosine kinase YES1 (also known as c-YES) is present in human spermatozoa. However, since it is negatively regulated by Ca(2+), whose intracellular concentration increases during capacitation, another kinase would most likely be involved in the capacitation-related increase in sperm protein tyrosine phosphorylation. The present study represents the first direct assessment of SRC tyrosine kinase activity in ejaculated mammalian sperm. By immunohistochemistry on human testis sections, it is clearly shown that SRC is expressed during spermatogenesis, mainly in round and elongating spermatids. Using an indirect immunofluorescence approach, SRC is detected in the acrosomal region of the head and in the sperm flagellum of ejaculated sperm. This tyrosine kinase is associated with the plasma membrane and with cytoskeletal elements, as suggested by its partial solubility in nonionic detergents. Despite its partial solubility, SRC kinase activity was assayed after immunoprecipitation using acid-denatured enolase as a substrate. It is clearly demonstrated that SRC activity is inhibited by SU6656 and PP1, selective SRC family tyrosine kinase inhibitors, and activated in a Ca(2+)-dependent manner. Furthermore, it is shown that SRC is activated in a cAMP/PRKA-dependent manner; SRC coimmunoprecipitates with the catalytic subunit of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PRKAC) and is phosphorylated by this latter kinase, resulting in an increase in enolase phosphorylation. All these results support the involvement of the tyrosine kinase SRC in the increase in sperm protein phosphotyrosine content observed during capacitation.

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“…In humans, intercourse may occur at any time during the menstrual cycle, and spermatozoa can retain their physiologic function within the female tract for several days after copulation (16,25,26). This ''surviving ability'' may be due in part to the assistance of specific factors and proteins secreted by the female genital tract, which can modulate sperm function (17,(27)(28)(29)(30)(31). The aim of the present report was to investigate the effect of the CM obtained from oviductal tissue culture on parameters related to sperm-egg interaction.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%