Evidence That Human Epididymal Protein ARP Plays a Role in Gamete Fusion Through Complementary Sites on the Surface of the Human Egg1

Cohen, Débora J.; Ellerman, Diego; Busso, Dolores; Morgenfeld, Mauro Miguel; Piazza, Alejandra; Hayashi, Masaru; Young, E.; Kasahara, Masanori; Cuasnicú, Patricia S.

doi:10.1095/biolreprod65.4.1000

Cited by 93 publications

(83 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…Since mature sperm are highly differentiated end cells that can not synthesize proteins (Yanagimachi, 1994;Darszon et al, 1999), the detection of functional cannabinoid receptors in human sperm implies that spermatogenic cells in the testis may synthesize cannabinoid receptors. The epididymis is another potential source, since sperm are known to acquire certain plasma membrane proteins required for fertilization during epidydimal transit (Boue et al, 1995;Focarelli et al, 1998;Cohen et al, 2001). Cannabinoids affect functions of Sertoli and Leydig cells (Burstein et al, 1978;Heindel and Keith, 1989;Wenger et al, 2001).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evidence that anandamide‐signaling regulates human sperm functions required for fertilization

Schuel

Burkman

Lippes

et al. 2002

Molecular Reproduction Devel

128

123

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Ejaculated mammalian sperm require several hours exposure to secretions in female reproductive tracts, or incubation in appropriate culture medium in vitro, before acquiring the capacity to fertilize eggs. Arachidonylethanolamide (AEA), also known as anandamide, is a novel lipid-signal molecule that is an endogenous agonist (endocannabinoid) for cannabinoid receptors. We now report that AEA is present in human seminal plasma, mid-cycle oviductal fluid, and follicular fluid analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. Sperm are sequentially exposed to these reproductive fluids as they move from the vagina to the site of fertilization in the oviduct. Specific binding of the potent cannabinoid agonist [3 H]CP-55,940 to human sperm was saturable (K D 9.71 AE 1.04 nM), suggesting that they express cannabinoid receptors. R-methanandamide , a potent and metabolically stable AEA analog, and (À)D 9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the major psychoactive constituent of Cannabis, modulated capacitation and fertilizing potential of human sperm in vitro. AM-356 elicited biphasic effects on the incidence of hyperactivated sperm motility (HA) between 1 and 6 hr of incubation: at (2.5 nM) it inhibited HA, while at (0.25 nM) it stimulated HA. Both AM-356 and THC inhibited morphological alterations over acrosomal caps between 2 and 6 hr (IC 50 5.9 AE 0.6 pM and 3.5 AE 1.5 nM, respectively). Sperm fertilizing capacity, measured in the Hemizona Assay, was reduced 50% by (1 nM) AM-356. These findings suggest that AEA-signaling may regulate sperm functions required for fertilization in human reproductive tracts, and imply that smoking of marijuana could impact these processes. This study has potential medical and public policy ramifications because of the incidence of marijuana abuse by adults in our society, previously documented reproductive effects of marijuana, and the ongoing debate about medicinal use of marijuana and cannabinoids.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evidence that anandamide‐signaling regulates human sperm functions required for fertilization

Schuel

Burkman

Lippes

et al. 2002

Molecular Reproduction Devel

128

123

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“…However, epididymal modifications of the sperm plasmalemma impinge on more than the acquisition of motility and sperm head binding to the zona. For example, underpinned by a fusion factor -Izumo (Inoué et al 2005) -CRISP1 acquired by the sperm surface in the upper epididymis conditions the final state of the equatorial segment's membrane involved in gamete fusion (Cohen et al 2011). Not least, epididymal change in the sperm surface has implications for more than fertilization per se.…”

Section: Sperm Maturationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Singular features of fertilization and their impact on the male reproductive system in eutherian mammals

Bedford

2014

Reproduction

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Therian (marsupial and eutherian) mammals have evolved a suite of novel reproductive features -seen variously in their gametes, the steps of fertilization and the male reproductive tract -whose adaptive significance remains unclear. Present evidence for the betterunderstood eutherian mammals suggests that the 'prime mover' in their evolution has been the character of the egg coat, with other such features being adaptations to the consequences of this. Its elastic thickness allows the zona pellucida to stretch to a variable degree and yet remain around the blastocyst during much or all of its expansion before implantation, but its character represents an unusual challenge for spermatozoa. Novel aspects of the acrosome related to this challenge enable it to maintain a relatively prolonged binding after the onset of the acrosome reaction, and the structure, shape and behaviour of the sperm head point to physical thrust as a major element of zona penetration -with the unique configuration of gamete fusion as a sequela of this strategy. In the male, such adaptations are reflected in sperm head formation in the testis and in sperm maturation in the epididymis involving at least the sperm head's structure, plasmalemma and acrosome. This complexity allied to a slow epididymal sperm transport, a relatively modest sperm production and the brief life span of mature spermatozoa kept above the cauda epididymidis could account for the evolution of the sperm storage function -a development seemingly linked, in turn, to the need for sperm capacitation and scrotal evolution.Reproduction (2014) 147 R43-R52

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“…AAEL009239 is a predicted CRISP. Proteins in this class are found in the seminal fluids of mammals (Cohen et al, 2001) and D. melanogaster (Mueller et al, 2004) and in the egg jelly of the frog, Xenopus laevis (Olson et al, 2001). A D. melanogaster CRISP (CG17575) participates in regulating the release of sperm from storage (Ravi Ram and Wolfner, In press).…”

Section: 5d Sperm Interaction-sixmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A D. melanogaster CRISP (CG17575) participates in regulating the release of sperm from storage (Ravi Ram and Wolfner, In press). In mammals, there is evidence suggesting that seminal fluid CRISPs are necessary for gamete fusion (Cohen et al, 2001). In Xenopus, a CRISP-like protein in the egg jelly acts as a sperm attractant (Olson et al, 2001).…”

Section: 5d Sperm Interaction-sixmentioning

confidence: 99%

Identity and transfer of male reproductive gland proteins of the dengue vector mosquito, Aedes aegypti: Potential tools for control of female feeding and reproduction

Sirot

Poulson

McKenna

et al. 2008

Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

152

166

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Male reproductive gland proteins (mRGPs) impact the physiology and/or behavior of mated females in a broad range of organisms. We sought to identify mRGPs of the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti, the primary vector of dengue and yellow fever viruses. Earlier studies with Ae. aegypti demonstrated that "matrone" (a partially purified male reproductive accessory gland substance) or male accessory gland fluid injected into virgin female Ae. aegypti affect female sexual refractoriness, blood feeding and digestion, flight, ovarian development, and oviposition. Using bioinformatic comparisons to Drosophila melanogaster accessory gland proteins and mass spectrometry of proteins from Ae. aegypti male accessory glands and ejaculatory ducts (AG/ED) and female reproductive tracts, we identified 63 new putative Ae. aegypti mRGPs. Twenty-one of these proteins were found in the reproductive tract of mated females, but not of virgin females, suggesting that they are transferred from males to females during mating. Most of the putative mRGPs fall into the same protein classes as mRGPs in other organisms, although some appear to be evolving rapidly and lack identifiable homologs in Culex pipiens, Anopheles gambiae, and D. melanogaster. Our results identify candidate male-derived molecules that may have an important influence on behavior, survival and reproduction of female mosquitoes.

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Evidence That Human Epididymal Protein ARP Plays a Role in Gamete Fusion Through Complementary Sites on the Surface of the Human Egg1

Cited by 93 publications

References 34 publications

Evidence that anandamide‐signaling regulates human sperm functions required for fertilization

Evidence that anandamide‐signaling regulates human sperm functions required for fertilization

Singular features of fertilization and their impact on the male reproductive system in eutherian mammals

Identity and transfer of male reproductive gland proteins of the dengue vector mosquito, Aedes aegypti: Potential tools for control of female feeding and reproduction

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