Mammalian oocytes are enveloped by the zona pellucida (ZP), an extracellular matrix of glycoproteins. In sperm, stimulation with ZP proteins evokes a rapid Ca influx via the sperm-specific, pH-sensitive Ca channel CatSper. However, the physiological role and molecular mechanisms underlying ZP-dependent activation of CatSper are unknown. Here, we delineate the sequence of ZP-signaling events in mouse sperm. We show that ZP proteins evoke a rapid intracellular pH increase that rests predominantly on Na/H exchange by NHA1 and requires cAMP synthesis by the soluble adenylyl cyclase sAC as well as a sufficiently negative membrane potential set by the spem-specific K channel Slo3. The alkaline-activated CatSper channel translates the ZP-induced pH increase into a Ca response. Our findings reveal the molecular components underlying ZP action on mouse sperm, opening up new avenues for understanding the basic principles of sperm function and, thereby, mammalian fertilization.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fcell.2020.572735 | DOI Listing |
BMC Genomics
January 2025
Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, Qinghai, 810008, China.
Background: Spermatogonia are essential for the continual production of sperm and regeneration of the entire spermatogenic lineage after injury. In mammals, spermatogonia are formed in the neonatal testis from prospermatogonia (also termed gonocytes), which are established from primordial germ cells during fetal development. Currently, the molecular regulation of the prospermatogonial to spermatogonia transition is not fully understood.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFReprod Sci
January 2025
College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, Jiangsu, China.
Melatonin is mainly synthesized and secreted by pineal gland, and plays multiple functions, including its regulating effects on reproductive processes. Sperm capacitation is necessary for fertilization, but the effect of melatonin on mouse sperm capacitation remains to be elucidated. We thus investigated the roles of melatonin on capacitation by culturing the sperms from mouse cauda epididymis in the medium with different doses of melatonin.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFReprod Sci
January 2025
Department of Food Science and Engineering, Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition, Jinan University, 601 Huangpu Rd, Guangzhou, 510632, PR China.
High-fructose and high-fat diet (HFHFD) has been associated with impaired spermatogenesis, leading to decreased sperm quality and increased male infertility, with similar effects observed in offspring. Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G), a recognized food antioxidant, has shown promise in protecting in male reproduction and modulating epigenetic modifications. However, its potential role in ameliorating intergenerational inheritance induced by HFHFD remains underexplored.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFReproduction
January 2025
D Cohen, Fundación IBYME. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)., Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Artificial oocyte activation (AOA) with Ca2+ ionophores is an experimental procedure that benefits patients who fail to obtain fertilized eggs. However, the impact of non-physiological Ca2+ increases on cellular events involved in egg-embryo transition and early development remains poorly understood. Using the mouse model, this study compares common Ca2+ ionophore protocols applied in clinical practice - one or two exposures to A23187 or a single exposure to ionomycin - focusing on embryonic development and cellular events associated with egg activation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSci Rep
January 2025
Department of Pharmacy, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, 247#, Beiyuan Street, Jinan, 250033, China.
Gastric cancer (GC) is a huge threat to global health, there is no effective treatment or just delay the progression of advanced GC until now. Micro-RNAs were reported to participate in the progression of GC. Clonal formation, MTT, caspase-3 activity, sperm DNA fragmentation, flow cytometry assay, cell adhesion, transwell assays were performed to detect the functions of miR-32-5p or anti-miR-32-5p on the growth and metastasis of GC cells.
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