The Acrosomal Matrix

Foster, James A.; Gerton, George L.

doi:10.1007/978-3-319-30567-7_2

Cited by 21 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 75 publications

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“…The sperm head comprises the nucleus, in which the haploid paternal DNA is highly compacted through replacement of histones by protamines that mediate hyper condensation of the chromatin during spermiogenesis (Miller et al, 2010). In addition, the acrosome, a peculiar vesicle which derives from the Golgi, locates to the anterior half of the sperm head and forms a large cap containing various proteases and membrane receptor that are required to cross the cumulus cell layer and digest the zona pellucida that surround the oocyte (Foster and Gerton, 2016). The tail or flagellum is an organelle of 50 to 100 micrometer long in mammals, which sustains sperm motility and progression within the female genital tract and is thus also indispensable for fertilization.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Importance of SLC26 Transmembrane Anion Exchangers in Sperm Post-testicular Maturation and Fertilization Potential

Touré

2019

Front. Cell Dev. Biol.

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In mammals, sperm cells produced within the testis are structurally differentiated but remain immotile and are unable to fertilize the oocyte unless they undergo a series of maturation events during their transit in the male and female genital tracts. This post-testicular functional maturation is known to rely on the micro-environment of both male and female genital tracts, and is tightly controlled by the pH of their luminal milieus. In particular, within the epididymis, the establishment of a low bicarbonate (HCO3–) concentration contributes to luminal acidification, which is necessary for sperm maturation and subsequent storage in a quiescent state. Following ejaculation, sperm is exposed to the basic pH of the female genital tract and bicarbonate (HCO3–), calcium (Ca2+), and chloride (Cl–) influxes induce biochemical and electrophysiological changes to the sperm cells (cytoplasmic alkalinization, increased cAMP concentration, and protein phosphorylation cascades), which are indispensable for the acquisition of fertilization potential, a process called capacitation. Solute carrier 26 (SLC26) members are conserved membranous proteins that mediate the transport of various anions across the plasma membrane of epithelial cells and constitute important regulators of pH and HCO3– concentration. Most SLC26 members were shown to physically interact and cooperate with the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator channel (CFTR) in various epithelia, mainly by stimulating its Cl– channel activity. Among SLC26 members, the function of SLC26A3, A6, and A8 were particularly investigated in the male genital tract and the sperm cells. In this review, we will focus on SLC26s contributions to ionic- and pH-dependent processes during sperm post-testicular maturation. We will specify the current knowledge regarding their functions, based on data from the literature generated by means of in vitro and in vivo studies in knock-out mouse models together with genetic studies of infertile patients. We will also discuss the limits of those studies, the current research gaps and identify some key points for potential developments in this field.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Importance of SLC26 Transmembrane Anion Exchangers in Sperm Post-testicular Maturation and Fertilization Potential

Touré

2019

Front. Cell Dev. Biol.

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“…The physiological function of these enzymes has been thought to degrade the extracellular glycoprotein matrix surrounding the egg to help sperm to reach this cell, although it is now a matter of debate (Hino et al, ; La Spina et al, ; Muro et al, ; Yamagata et al, ). Considering its similarities with the endolysosomal system, the acrosome has been referred to as a lysosome‐related organelle (Foster & Gerton, ). Acrosomal osmoregulation (Sosa, Zanetti, Pocognoni, & Mayorga, ) is considered an important element of the AR; the acrosome must swell before this reaction occurs (Zanetti & Mayorga, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Acrosomal alkalization triggers Ca²⁺ release and acrosome reaction in mammalian spermatozoa

Chávez

Vega-Beltrán

Omar

et al. 2018

Journal Cellular Physiology

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The sperm acrosome reaction (AR), an essential event for mammalian fertilization, involves Ca permeability changes leading to exocytosis of the acrosomal vesicle. The acrosome, an intracellular Ca store whose luminal pH is acidic, contains hydrolytic enzymes. It is known that acrosomal pH (pH ) increases during capacitation and this correlates with spontaneous AR. Some AR inducers increase intracellular Ca concentration ([Ca ] ) through Ca release from internal stores, mainly the acrosome. Catsper, a sperm specific Ca channel, has been suggested to participate in the AR. Curiously, Mibefradil and NNC55-0396, two CatSper blockers, themselves elevate [Ca ] by unknown mechanisms. Here we show that these compounds, as other weak bases, can elevate pH , trigger Ca release from the acrosome, and induce the AR in both mouse and human sperm. To our surprise, μM concentrations of NNC55-0396 induced AR even in nominally Ca free media. Our findings suggest that alkalization of the acrosome is critical step for Ca release from the acrosome that leads to the acrosome reaction.

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“…In this context, it is interesting to note that the nuclear isoform of glutathione peroxidase has two different localizations in sperm head: the acrosome and the nuclear matrix (Puglisi et al, ). We previously demonstrated that acrosomal nGPx4 is stably associated with the acrosomal matrix, an insoluble sperm structure involved in the zona pellucida penetration during fertilization (Muro, Buffone, Okabe, & Gerton, ; Foster & Gerton, ). We therefore hypothesize that acrosomal nGPx4 is needed for the normal occurrence of acrosomal reaction.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Involvement of sperm acetylated histones and the nuclear isoform of Glutathione peroxidase 4 in fertilization

Pipolo

Puglisi

Mularoni

et al. 2017

Journal Cellular Physiology

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We previously demonstrated that the nuclear form of Glutathione peroxidase 4 (nGPx4) has a peculiar distribution in sperm head, being localized to nuclear matrix and acrosome and that sperm lacking nGPx4 are more prone to decondensation in vitro. In this study we have hypothesized that sperm retained acetylated histones and nGPx4 are implicated in paternal chromatin decondensation and male pronucleus formation at fertilization. Indeed, significant higher amounts of acetylated histone H4 and acetylated histone H3 were observed by both immunofluorescence and western blotting in nGPx4-KO sperm vs WT ones. In vitro fertilization of zona pellucida-deprived oocytes by WT sperm in the presence of trichostatin (TSA) also demonstrated that paternal histone acetylation was inversely related to the timing of sperm nucleus decondensation at fertilization. In contrast, TSA had no effect on nGPx4-KO sperm, indicating they had a maximal level of histone acetylation. Moreover the paternally imprinted gene Igf2/H19 was hypomethylated in KO sperm compared to WT ones. The lack of nGPx4 negatively affected male fertility, causing a marked decrease in total pups and pregnancies with delivery, a significant reduction in pronuclei (PN) embryos in in vitro fertilization assays and an approximately 2 h delay in egg fertilization in vivo. Because the zona pellucida binding and fusion to oolemma of nGPx4-KO and WT sperm were similar, the subfertility of nGPx4 sperm reflected a decreased sperm progression through egg cumulus/zona pellucida, pinpointing a defective acrosome in line with acrosomal nGPx4 localization. We conclude that paternal acetylated histones and acrosomal nGPx4 are directly involved in fertilization.

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The Acrosomal Matrix

Cited by 21 publications

References 75 publications

Importance of SLC26 Transmembrane Anion Exchangers in Sperm Post-testicular Maturation and Fertilization Potential

Importance of SLC26 Transmembrane Anion Exchangers in Sperm Post-testicular Maturation and Fertilization Potential

Acrosomal alkalization triggers Ca²⁺ release and acrosome reaction in mammalian spermatozoa

Involvement of sperm acetylated histones and the nuclear isoform of Glutathione peroxidase 4 in fertilization

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The Acrosomal Matrix

Cited by 21 publications

References 75 publications

Importance of SLC26 Transmembrane Anion Exchangers in Sperm Post-testicular Maturation and Fertilization Potential

Importance of SLC26 Transmembrane Anion Exchangers in Sperm Post-testicular Maturation and Fertilization Potential

Acrosomal alkalization triggers Ca2+ release and acrosome reaction in mammalian spermatozoa

Involvement of sperm acetylated histones and the nuclear isoform of Glutathione peroxidase 4 in fertilization

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Acrosomal alkalization triggers Ca²⁺ release and acrosome reaction in mammalian spermatozoa