Comparative genomic analysis suggests that the sperm-specific sodium/proton exchanger and soluble adenylyl cyclase are key regulators of CatSper among the Metazoa.

ABSTRACT:

Background

CatSper is a sperm-specific calcium ion (Ca²⁺) channel, which regulates sperm flagellar beating by tuning cytoplasmic Ca²⁺ concentrations. Although this Ca²⁺ channel is essential for mammalian fertilization, recent bioinformatics analyses have revealed that genes encoding CatSper are heterogeneously distributed throughout the eukaryotes, including vertebrates. As this channel is activated by cytoplasmic alkalization in mammals and sea urchins, it has been proposed that the sperm-specific Na⁺/H⁺ exchanger (sNHE, a product of the SLC9C gene family) positively regulates its activity. In mouse, sNHE is functionally coupled to soluble adenylyl cyclase (sAC). CatSper, sNHE, and sAC have thus been considered function

SUBMITTER: Romero F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6660944 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature