Many Ca2 channel proteins have been detected in mammalian sperm, but only the four CATSPER channels have been clearly shown to be required for male fertility. Ca2 entry through the principal piece-localized CATSPER channels has been implicated in the activation of hyperactivated motility. In the present study, we show that the Ca2 entry also triggers a tail-to-head Ca2 propagation in the mouse sperm. When activated with 8-Br-cAMP, 8-Br-cGMP, or alkaline depolarization, a CATSPER-dependent increase in intracellular Ca2 concentration starts in the principal piece, propagates through the midpiece, and reaches the head in a few seconds. The Ca2 propagation through the midpiece leads to a Ca2 -dependent increase in NADH fluorescence. In addition, CatSper1-mutant sperm have lower intracellular ATP levels than wild-type sperm. Thus, a Ca2 influx in the principal piece through CATSPER channels can not only initiate hyperactivated motility, but can also trigger a tail-to-head Ca2 propagation that leads to an increase in [NADH] and may regulate ATP homeostasis.
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1 September 2007
CATSPER Channel-Mediated Ca2 Entry into Mouse Sperm Triggers a Tail-to-Head Propagation
Jingsheng Xia,
David Reigada,
Claire H. Mitchell,
Dejian Ren
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Biology of Reproduction
Vol. 77 • No. 3
September 2007
Vol. 77 • No. 3
September 2007
acrosome reaction
calcium
sperm capacitation
sperm motility and transport