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Comment
. 2009 Jan 20;106(3):667-8.
doi: 10.1073/pnas.0811895106. Epub 2009 Jan 14.

Understanding the molecular basis of sperm capacitation through kinase design

Pablo E Visconti  1
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Comment

Understanding the molecular basis of sperm capacitation through kinase design

Pablo E Visconti. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. .
No abstract available

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Conflict of interest statement

The author declares no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Molecular basis of fast and slow events associated with sperm capacitation. (Fast Events) As soon as sperm are in contact with an isotonic solution containing HCO3− and Ca2+, a vigorous flagellar movement is observed. At the molecular level, this process depends on the increase in PKA activity and is mediated by a Ca2+ and HCO3− coordinated stimulation of the atypical adenylyl cyclase SACY. At these instances, it is believed that HCO3− and Ca2+ are transported by a Na+/HCO3− cotransporter (NBC) and a sperm-specific Ca2+ channel (CatSper). (Slow Events) After an extended period of incubation in vivo or in vitro, sperm acquire the ability to fertilize. The fertilization capacity is preceded by the preparation to undergo the exocytotic acrosome reaction and by changes in the motility pattern known as hyperactivation. At the molecular level, these changes are correlated with an increase in tyrosine phosphorylation. This increase is downstream of PKA stimulation; however, opposite to the fast processes, the increase in tyrosine phosphorylation also depends on the presence of cholesterol acceptors in the capacitation medium.
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