Network model predicts that CatSper is the main Ca²⁺ channel in the regulation of sea urchin sperm motility.

ABSTRACT: Spermatozoa sea urchin swimming behaviour is regulated by small peptides from the egg outer envelope. Speract, such a peptide, after binding to its receptor in Strongylocentrotus purpuratus sperm flagella, triggers a signaling pathway that culminates with a train of intracellular calcium oscillations, correlated with changes in sperm swimming pattern. This pathway has been widely studied but not fully characterized. Recent work on Arbacia punctulata sea urchin spermatozoa has documented the presence of the Ca²⁺ CatSper channel in their flagella and its involvement in chemotaxis. However, if other calcium channels participate in chemotaxis remains unclear. Here, based on an experimentally-backed logical network model, we conclude that CatSper is fundamental in the S. purpuratus s

SUBMITTER: Espinal-Enriquez J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5484689 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature