Sperm-Specific CatSper is Not Conserved in All Vertebrates and May Not be the Only Progesterone-Responsive Ion Channel Present in Sperm.

ABSTRACT: Progesterone (P4) acts as a key conserved signalling molecule in vertebrate reproduction. P4 is especially important for mature sperm physiology and subsequent reproductive success. "CatSpermasome", a multi-unit molecular complex, has been suggested to be the main if not the only P4-responsive atypical Ca²⁺-ion channel present in mature sperm. Altogether, here we analyse the protein sequences of CatSper1-4 from more than 500 vertebrates ranging from early fishes to humans. CatSper1 becomes longer in mammals due to sequence gain mainly at the N-terminus. Overall the conservation of full-length CatSper1-4 as well as the individual TM regions remain low. The lipid-water-interface residues (i.e. a 5 amino acid stretch sequence present on both sides of each TM region) also remain hig

SUBMITTER: Dubey NK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11289002 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature