Cyclic AMP and glycogen synthase kinase 3 form a regulatory loop in spermatozoa.

ABSTRACT: The multifaceted glycogen synthase kinase (GSK3) has an essential role in sperm and male fertility. Since cyclic AMP (cAMP) plays an important role in sperm function, we investigated whether GSK3 and cAMP pathways may be interrelated. We used GSK3 and soluble adenylyl cyclase (sAC) knockout mice and pharmacological modulators to examine this relationship. Intracellular cAMP levels were found to be significantly lower in sperm lacking GSK3α or GSK3β. A similar outcome was observed when sperm cells were treated with SB216763, a GSK3 inhibitor. This reduction of cAMP levels was not due to an effect on sperm adenylyl cyclase but was caused by elevated phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity. The PDE4 inhibitor RS25344 or the general PDE inhibitor IBMX could restore cAMP levels in sperm lacking GSK3α

SUBMITTER: Dey S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6852663 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature