Gametogenesis and Gamete Interaction

A special issue of Biomolecules (ISSN 2218-273X). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Reproduction".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (22 January 2024) | Viewed by 29685

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
1. Professor, Department of Food and Nutritional Environment, College of Human Life and Environment, Kinjo Gakuin University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
2. Emeritus Professor, Sugashima Marine Biological Laboratory, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
Interests: fertilization; ascidian; sperm; protease; proteasome; ubiquitin; egg; animal; allorecognition; self-incompatibility
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Sexual reproduction is one of the most important events in living organisms, which is critical for creating new individuals and for the sustainable existence of each species. Even unicellular organisms or asexual reproductive organisms utilize sexual reproductive strategy for surviving in terrestrial environments. Sexual reproduction comprises gametogenesis and gamete interaction. The former includes meiosis and gamete maturation/morphogenesis, while the latter includes the events of sperm attraction and activation, species-specific and allo-specific gamete recognition and binding, acrosome reaction, sperm penetration of egg coat, gamete fusion, and egg activation. The present Special Issue focuses on the above topics in the sexual reproduction of animals and plants. In particular, the submission of original and review articles on the novel findings and idea of the molecular mechanisms of sexual reproduction will be greatly appreciated.

Prof. Dr. Hitoshi Sawada
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • gametogenesis and meiosis
  • sperm attraction and activation
  • gamete interaction and recognition
  • species specificity and self/nonself-recognition in hermaphrodites
  • acrosome reaction
  • sperm penetration of egg coat
  • gamete membrane fusion
  • polyspermy block
  • egg activation

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Published Papers (11 papers)

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Research

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24 pages, 38016 KiB  
Article
Dithiothreitol Affects the Fertilization Response in Immature and Maturing Starfish Oocytes
by Nunzia Limatola, Jong Tai Chun, Kazuyoshi Chiba and Luigia Santella
Biomolecules 2023, 13(11), 1659; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom13111659 - 17 Nov 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1566
Abstract
Immature starfish oocytes isolated from the ovary are susceptible to polyspermy due to the structural organization of the vitelline layer covering the oocyte plasma membrane, as well as the distribution and biochemical properties of the actin cytoskeleton of the oocyte cortex. After the [...] Read more.
Immature starfish oocytes isolated from the ovary are susceptible to polyspermy due to the structural organization of the vitelline layer covering the oocyte plasma membrane, as well as the distribution and biochemical properties of the actin cytoskeleton of the oocyte cortex. After the resumption of the meiotic cycle of the oocyte triggered by the hormone 1-methyladenine, the maturing oocyte reaches fertilizable conditions to be stimulated by only one sperm with a normal Ca2+ response and cortical reaction. This cytoplasmic ripening of the oocyte, resulting in normal fertilization and development, is due to the remodeling of the cortical actin cytoskeleton and germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD). Since disulfide-reducing agents such as dithiothreitol (DTT) are known to induce the maturation and GVBD of oocytes in many species of starfish, we analyzed the pattern of the fertilization response displayed by Astropecten aranciacus oocytes pre-exposed to DTT with or without 1-MA stimulation. Short treatment of A. aranciacus immature oocytes with DTT reduced the rate of polyspermic fertilization and altered the sperm-induced Ca2+ response by changing the morphology of microvilli, cortical granules, and biochemical properties of the cortical F-actin. At variance with 1-MA, the DTT treatment of immature starfish oocytes for 70 min did not induce GVBD. On the other hand, the DTT treatment caused an alteration in microvilli morphology and a drastic depolymerization of the cortical F-actin, which impaired the sperm-induced Ca2+ response at fertilization and the subsequent embryonic development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gametogenesis and Gamete Interaction)
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15 pages, 2765 KiB  
Article
N-Glycosylation Site in the Middle Region Is Involved in the Sperm-Binding Activity of Bovine Zona Pellucida Glycoproteins ZP3 and ZP4
by Kamila Dilimulati, Zhang Yulin, Fabiana Lica Imai and Naoto Yonezawa
Biomolecules 2023, 13(11), 1636; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom13111636 - 10 Nov 2023
Viewed by 1158
Abstract
Mammalian fertilization is a species-selective event that involves a series of interactions between sperm proteins and the oocyte’s zona pellucida (ZP) glycoproteins. Bovine ZP consists of three glycoproteins: bZP2, bZP3, and bZP4. In our previous study, we demonstrated that bovine sperm binds to [...] Read more.
Mammalian fertilization is a species-selective event that involves a series of interactions between sperm proteins and the oocyte’s zona pellucida (ZP) glycoproteins. Bovine ZP consists of three glycoproteins: bZP2, bZP3, and bZP4. In our previous study, we demonstrated that bovine sperm binds to plastic wells coated with recombinant bZP4 and identified that the N-terminal domain and the middle region of bZP4 are critical for sperm-binding activity. Here, we investigated the sperm-binding site in the middle region (residues 290 to 340) of bZP4, which includes the hinge region. We showed that bovine sperm binds to bZP4’s middle region in a species-selective manner. We mapped the function of bZP4’s middle region to its N-glycosylation site at Asn-314 using several recombinant mutated proteins. Moreover, we showed that mutations of the N-glycosylation sites at Asn-314 close to the hinge region and Asn-146 of the hinge region of bZP4 and bZP3, respectively, reduced the sperm-binding activity of the complex of the bZP3 (from 32 to 178) and bZP4 (from 136 to 464) fragments. Together, these results suggest that ZP’s middle regions of bZP3 and bZP4 form one of the sperm-binding sites of bovine ZP. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gametogenesis and Gamete Interaction)
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11 pages, 3631 KiB  
Article
The Role of Soluble Adenylyl Cyclase in the Regulation of Flagellar Motility in Ascidian Sperm
by Kogiku Shiba and Kazuo Inaba
Biomolecules 2023, 13(11), 1594; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom13111594 - 30 Oct 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1483
Abstract
Flagellar motility in sperm is activated and regulated by factors related to the eggs at fertilization. In the ascidian Ciona intestinalis, a sulfated steroid called the SAAF (sperm activating and attracting factor) induces both sperm motility activation and chemotaxis. Cyclic AMP (cAMP) [...] Read more.
Flagellar motility in sperm is activated and regulated by factors related to the eggs at fertilization. In the ascidian Ciona intestinalis, a sulfated steroid called the SAAF (sperm activating and attracting factor) induces both sperm motility activation and chemotaxis. Cyclic AMP (cAMP) is one of the most important intracellular factors in the sperm signaling pathway. Adenylyl cyclase (AC) is the key enzyme that synthesizes cAMP at the onset of the signaling pathway in all cellular functions. We previously reported that both transmembrane AC (tmAC) and soluble AC (sAC) play important roles in sperm motility in Ciona. The tmAC plays a major role in the SAAF-induced activation of sperm motility. On the other hand, sAC is involved in the regulation of flagellar beat frequency and the Ca2+-dependent chemotactic movement of sperm. In this study, we focused on the role of sAC in the regulation of flagellar motility in Ciona sperm chemotaxis. The immunochemical analysis revealed that several isoforms of sAC protein were expressed in Ciona sperm, as reported in mammals and sea urchins. We demonstrated that sAC inhibition caused strong and transient asymmetrization during the chemotactic turn, and then sperm failed to turn toward the SAAF. In addition, real-time Ca2+ imaging in sperm flagella revealed that sAC inhibition induced an excessive and prolonged Ca2+ influx to flagella. These results indicate that sAC plays a key role in sperm chemotaxis by regulating the clearance of [Ca2+]i and by modulating Ca2+-dependent flagellar waveform conversion. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gametogenesis and Gamete Interaction)
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27 pages, 8490 KiB  
Article
The Ubiquitin-Proteasome System Participates in Sperm Surface Subproteome Remodeling during Boar Sperm Capacitation
by Michal Zigo, Karl Kerns and Peter Sutovsky
Biomolecules 2023, 13(6), 996; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom13060996 - 15 Jun 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3202
Abstract
Sperm capacitation is a complex process endowing biological and biochemical changes to a spermatozoon for a successful encounter with an oocyte. The present study focused on the role of the ubiquitin–proteasome system (UPS) in the remodeling of the sperm surface subproteome. The sperm [...] Read more.
Sperm capacitation is a complex process endowing biological and biochemical changes to a spermatozoon for a successful encounter with an oocyte. The present study focused on the role of the ubiquitin–proteasome system (UPS) in the remodeling of the sperm surface subproteome. The sperm surface subproteome from non-capacitated and in vitro capacitated (IVC) porcine spermatozoa, with and without proteasomal inhibition, was selectively isolated. The purified sperm surface subproteome was analyzed using high-resolution, quantitative liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) in four replicates. We identified 1680 HUGO annotated proteins, out of which we found 91 to be at least 1.5× less abundant (p < 0.05) and 141 to be at least 1.5× more abundant (p < 0.05) on the surface of IVC spermatozoa. These proteins were associated with sperm capacitation, hyperactivation, metabolism, acrosomal exocytosis, and fertilization. Abundances of 14 proteins were found to be significantly different (p < 0.05), exceeding a 1.5-fold abundance between the proteasomally inhibited (100 µM MG132) and vehicle control (0.2% ethanol) groups. The proteins NIF3L1, CSE1L, NDUFB7, PGLS, PPP4C, STK39, and TPRG1L were found to be more abundant; while BPHL, GSN, GSPT1, PFDN4, STYXL1, TIMM10, and UBXN4 were found to be less abundant in proteasomally inhibited IVC spermatozoa. Despite the UPS having a narrow range of targets, it modulated sperm metabolism and binding by regulating susceptible surface proteins. Changes in CSE1L, PFDN4, and STK39 during in vitro capacitation were confirmed using immunocytochemistry, image-based flow cytometry, and Western blotting. The results confirmed the active participation of the UPS in the extensive sperm surface proteome remodeling that occurs during boar sperm capacitation. This work will help us to identify new pharmacological mechanisms to positively or negatively modulate sperm fertilizing ability in food animals and humans. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gametogenesis and Gamete Interaction)
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10 pages, 2839 KiB  
Article
CRISPR/Cas9 Mediated Fluorescent Tagging of Caenorhabditis elegans SPE-38 Reveals a Complete Localization Pattern in Live Spermatozoa
by Yamei Zuo, Xue Mei and Andrew Singson
Biomolecules 2023, 13(4), 623; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom13040623 - 30 Mar 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2084
Abstract
The Caenorhabditis elegans spe-38 gene encodes a four-pass transmembrane molecule that is required in sperm for fertilization. In previous work, the localization of the SPE-38 protein was examined using polyclonal antibodies on spermatids and mature amoeboid spermatozoa. SPE-38 is localized to unfused membranous organelles [...] Read more.
The Caenorhabditis elegans spe-38 gene encodes a four-pass transmembrane molecule that is required in sperm for fertilization. In previous work, the localization of the SPE-38 protein was examined using polyclonal antibodies on spermatids and mature amoeboid spermatozoa. SPE-38 is localized to unfused membranous organelles (MOs) in nonmotile spermatids. Different fixation conditions revealed that SPE-38 either localized to fused MOs and the cell body plasma membrane or the pseudopod plasma membrane of mature sperm. To address this localization paradox in mature sperm, CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing was used to tag endogenous SPE-38 with fluorescent wrmScarlet-I. Homozygous male and hermaphrodite worms encoding SPE-38::wrmScarlet-I were fertile indicating the fluorescent tag does not interfere with SPE-38 function during sperm activation or fertilization. We found that SPE-38::wrmScarlet-I localized to MOs in spermatids consistent with previous antibody localization. In mature and motile spermatozoa we found SPE-38::wrmScarlet-I in fused MOs, the cell body plasma membrane, and the pseudopod plasma membrane. We conclude that the localization pattern observed with SPE-38::wrmScarlet-I represents the complete distribution of SPE-38 in mature spermatozoa and this localization pattern is consistent with a hypothesized role of SPE-38 directly in sperm-egg binding and/or fusion. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gametogenesis and Gamete Interaction)
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13 pages, 3447 KiB  
Article
Proteasome-Associated Proteins, PA200 and ECPAS, Are Essential for Murine Spermatogenesis
by Ban Sato, Jiwoo Kim, Kazunori Morohoshi, Woojin Kang, Kenji Miyado, Fuminori Tsuruta, Natsuko Kawano and Tomoki Chiba
Biomolecules 2023, 13(4), 586; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom13040586 - 24 Mar 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2412
Abstract
Proteasomes are highly sophisticated protease complexes that degrade non-lysosomal proteins, and their proper regulation ensures various biological functions such as spermatogenesis. The proteasome-associated proteins, PA200 and ECPAS, are predicted to function during spermatogenesis; however, male mice lacking each of these genes sustain fertility, [...] Read more.
Proteasomes are highly sophisticated protease complexes that degrade non-lysosomal proteins, and their proper regulation ensures various biological functions such as spermatogenesis. The proteasome-associated proteins, PA200 and ECPAS, are predicted to function during spermatogenesis; however, male mice lacking each of these genes sustain fertility, raising the possibility that these proteins complement each other. To address this issue, we explored these possible roles during spermatogenesis by producing mice lacking these genes (double-knockout mice; dKO mice). Expression patterns and quantities were similar throughout spermatogenesis in the testes. In epididymal sperm, PA200 and ECPAS were expressed but were differentially localized to the midpiece and acrosome, respectively. Proteasome activity was considerably reduced in both the testes and epididymides of dKO male mice, resulting in infertility. Mass spectrometric analysis revealed LPIN1 as a target protein for PA200 and ECPAS, which was confirmed via immunoblotting and immunostaining. Furthermore, ultrastructural and microscopic analyses demonstrated that the dKO sperm displayed disorganization of the mitochondrial sheath. Our results indicate that PA200 and ECPAS work cooperatively during spermatogenesis and are essential for male fertility. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gametogenesis and Gamete Interaction)
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14 pages, 8687 KiB  
Article
Sodium Hexametaphosphate Serves as an Inducer of Calcium Signaling
by Daiki Katano, Woojin Kang, Yuichirou Harada, Natsuko Kawano, Mami Miyado, Takako Saito, Mio Fukuoka, Mitsutoshi Yamada and Kenji Miyado
Biomolecules 2023, 13(4), 577; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom13040577 - 23 Mar 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2419
Abstract
In bacteria, polymers of inorganic phosphates, particularly linear polyphosphate, are used as alternative phosphate donors for adenosine triphosphate production. A six-chain form of sodium metaphosphate, sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP), is believed to have no physiological functions in mammalian cells. In this study, we explored [...] Read more.
In bacteria, polymers of inorganic phosphates, particularly linear polyphosphate, are used as alternative phosphate donors for adenosine triphosphate production. A six-chain form of sodium metaphosphate, sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP), is believed to have no physiological functions in mammalian cells. In this study, we explored the possible effects of SHMP on mammalian cells, using mouse oocytes, which are useful for observing various spatiotemporal intracellular changes. Fertilization-competent oocytes were isolated from the oviducts of superovulated mice and cultured in an SHMP-containing medium. In the absence of co-incubation with sperm, SHMP-treated oocytes frequently formed pronuclei and developed into two-cell embryos owing to the increase in calcium concentration in the cytoplasm. We discovered an intriguing role for SHMP as an initiator of calcium rise in mouse oocytes, presumably in a wide variety of mammalian cells. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gametogenesis and Gamete Interaction)
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14 pages, 1598 KiB  
Communication
Behavior of Male Gamete Fusogen GCS1/HAP2 and the Regulation in Arabidopsis Double Fertilization
by Yuka Shiba, Taro Takahashi, Yukino Ohashi, Minako Ueda, Amane Mimuro, Jin Sugimoto, Yuka Noguchi and Tomoko Igawa
Biomolecules 2023, 13(2), 208; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom13020208 - 20 Jan 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3708
Abstract
In the sexual reproduction of flowering plants, two independent fertilization events occur almost simultaneously: two identical sperm cells fuse with either the egg cell or the central cell, resulting in embryo and endosperm development to produce a seed. GCS1/HAP2 is a sperm cell [...] Read more.
In the sexual reproduction of flowering plants, two independent fertilization events occur almost simultaneously: two identical sperm cells fuse with either the egg cell or the central cell, resulting in embryo and endosperm development to produce a seed. GCS1/HAP2 is a sperm cell membrane protein essential for plasma membrane fusion with both female gametes. Other sperm membrane proteins, DMP8 and DMP9, are more important for egg cell fertilization than that of the central cell, suggesting its regulatory mechanism in GCS1/HAP2-driving gamete membrane fusion. To assess the GCS1/HAP2 regulatory cascade in the double fertilization system of flowering plants, we produced Arabidopsis transgenic lines expressing different GCS1/HAP2 variants and evaluated the fertilization in vivo. The fertilization pattern observed in GCS1_RNAi transgenic plants implied that sperm cells over the amount of GCS1/HAP2 required for fusion on their surface could facilitate membrane fusion with both female gametes. The cytological analysis of the dmp8dmp9 sperm cell arrested alone in an embryo sac supported GCS1/HAP2 distribution on the sperm surface. Furthermore, the fertilization failures with both female gametes were caused by GCS1/HAP2 secretion from the egg cell. These results provided a possible scenario of GCS1/HAP2 regulation, showing a potential scheme for capturing additional GCS1/HAP2-interacting proteins. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gametogenesis and Gamete Interaction)
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17 pages, 3502 KiB  
Article
Critical Role of the Cortical Alveolus Protease Alveolin in Chorion Hardening In Vivo at Medaka Fertilization
by Bo Fu, Di Wu, Shigeki Yasumasu, Masaya Hane, Chihiro Sato and Ken Kitajima
Biomolecules 2023, 13(1), 146; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom13010146 - 10 Jan 2023
Viewed by 1846
Abstract
Alveolin is a cortical alveolus proteinase that is secreted in the perivitelline space (PVS) at fertilization to act on the chorion. Purified alveolin is known to induce chorion hardening in vitro by processing zona pellucida B (ZPB), a major chorion component. However, in [...] Read more.
Alveolin is a cortical alveolus proteinase that is secreted in the perivitelline space (PVS) at fertilization to act on the chorion. Purified alveolin is known to induce chorion hardening in vitro by processing zona pellucida B (ZPB), a major chorion component. However, in vivo function of alveolin remains unclear; thus, in this study, the effects of alveolin efficiency (Alv−/−) at the organism level were investigated using the medaka, Oryzias latipes. The Alv−/− fertilized eggs were mechanically fragile; however, they developed normally and left offspring as long as they were carefully handled before hatching. A mechanical press test showed that the Alv−/− fertilized eggs were six times more fragile than the wild-type eggs. They were 35% larger owing to the enlarged PVS, 34% thinner, and permeable to even 10 kDa FITC-dextran. These results are consistent with the transmission electron microscopy observation that the periphery of the inner layers was highly porous in the Alv−/− chorion. In chorion hardening, the alveolin-mediated processing of ZPB and the transglutaminase (TGase)-mediated crosslinking of chorion components are the key steps. This study was the first to show that alveolin also processed TGase concomitantly with ZPB, which greatly facilitated the crosslinking. Thus, alveolin was concluded to be the primary trigger for chorion hardening in vivo. Furthermore, fertilization in a balanced salt solution could partially improve the impaired chorion hardening of the Alv−/− eggs fertilized in water, probably through an alveolin-independent mechanism. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gametogenesis and Gamete Interaction)
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Review

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23 pages, 6079 KiB  
Review
Relaxin-like Gonad-Stimulating Peptides in Asteroidea
by Masatoshi Mita
Biomolecules 2023, 13(5), 781; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom13050781 - 30 Apr 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4391
Abstract
Starfish relaxin-like gonad-stimulating peptide (RGP) is the first identified peptide hormone with gonadotropin-like activity in invertebrates. RGP is a heterodimeric peptide, comprising A and B chains with disulfide cross-linkages. Although RGP had been named a gonad-stimulating substance (GSS), the purified peptide is a [...] Read more.
Starfish relaxin-like gonad-stimulating peptide (RGP) is the first identified peptide hormone with gonadotropin-like activity in invertebrates. RGP is a heterodimeric peptide, comprising A and B chains with disulfide cross-linkages. Although RGP had been named a gonad-stimulating substance (GSS), the purified peptide is a member of relaxin-type peptide family. Thus, GSS was renamed as RGP. The cDNA of RGP encodes not only the A and B chains, but also signal and C-peptides. After the rgp gene is translated as a precursor, mature RGP is produced by eliminating the signal and C-peptides. Hitherto, twenty-four RGP orthologs have been identified or predicted from starfish in the orders Valvatida, Forcipulatida, Paxillosida, Spinulosida, and Velatida. The molecular evolution of the RGP family is in good accordance with the phylogenetic taxonomy in Asteroidea. Recently, another relaxin-like peptide with gonadotropin-like activity, RLP2, was found in starfish. RGP is mainly present in the radial nerve cords and circumoral nerve rings, but also in the arm tips, the gonoducts, and the coelomocytes. RGP acts on ovarian follicle cells and testicular interstitial cells to induce the production of 1-methyladenine (1-MeAde), a starfish maturation-inducing hormone. RGP-induced 1-MeAde production is accompanied by an increase in intracellular cyclic AMP levels. This suggests that the receptor for RGP (RGPR) is a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR). Two types of GPCRs, RGPR1 and RGPR2, have been postulated as candidates. Furthermore, 1-MeAde produced by RGP not only induces oocyte maturation, but also induces gamete shedding, possibly by stimulating the secretion of acetylcholine in the ovaries and testes. Thus, RGP plays an important role in starfish reproduction, but its secretion mechanism is still unknown. It has also been revealed that RGP is found in the peripheral adhesive papillae of the brachiolaria arms. However, gonads are not developed in the larvae before metamorphosis. It may be possible to discover new physiological functions of RGP other than gonadotropin-like activity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gametogenesis and Gamete Interaction)
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12 pages, 1108 KiB  
Review
Spermiogenesis in Caenorhabditis elegans: An Excellent Model to Explore the Molecular Basis for Sperm Activation
by Yoshihiro Shimada, Nana Kanazawa-Takino and Hitoshi Nishimura
Biomolecules 2023, 13(4), 657; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom13040657 - 7 Apr 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3451
Abstract
C. elegans spermiogenesis converts non-motile spermatids into motile, fertilization-competent spermatozoa. Two major events include the building of a pseudopod required for motility and fusion of membranous organelles (MOs)—intracellular secretory vesicles—with the spermatid plasma membrane required for the proper distribution of sperm molecules in [...] Read more.
C. elegans spermiogenesis converts non-motile spermatids into motile, fertilization-competent spermatozoa. Two major events include the building of a pseudopod required for motility and fusion of membranous organelles (MOs)—intracellular secretory vesicles—with the spermatid plasma membrane required for the proper distribution of sperm molecules in mature spermatozoa. The mouse sperm acrosome reaction—a sperm activation event occurring during capacitation—is similar to MO fusion in terms of cytological features and biological significance. Moreover, C. elegans fer-1 and mouse Fer1l5, both encoding members of the ferlin family, are indispensable for MO fusion and acrosome reaction, respectively. Genetics-based studies have identified many C. elegans genes involved in spermiogenesis pathways; however, it is unclear whether mouse orthologs of these genes are involved in the acrosome reaction. One significant advantage of using C. elegans for studying sperm activation is the availability of in vitro spermiogenesis, which enables combining pharmacology and genetics for the assay. If certain drugs can activate both C. elegans and mouse spermatozoa, these drugs would be useful probes to explore the mechanism underlying sperm activation in these two species. By analyzing C. elegans mutants whose spermatids are insensitive to the drugs, genes functionally relevant to the drugs’ effects can be identified. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gametogenesis and Gamete Interaction)
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