The galectin-1-glycan axis controls sperm fertilizing capacity by regulating sperm motility and membrane hyperpolarization.
FASEB J
; 29(10): 4189-200, 2015 Oct.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-26136479
ABSTRACT
Lectin-glycan recognition systems play central roles in many physiologic and pathologic processes. We identified a role for galectin-1 (Gal-1), a highly conserved glycan-binding protein, in the control of sperm function. We found that Gal-1 is expressed in the epididymis and associates with sperm during epididymal maturation. Exposure of sperm to Gal-1 resulted in glycan-dependent modulation of the acrosome reaction (AR), a key event in the fertilization process. Gal-1-deficient (Lgals1(-/-)) mice revealed the essential contribution of this lectin for full sperm fertilizing ability both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, Lgals1(-/-) sperm exhibited defects in their ability to develop hyperactivation, a vigorous motility required for penetration of the egg vestments. Moreover, Lgals1(-/-) sperm showed a decreased ability to control cell volume and to undergo progesterone-induced AR, phenotypes that were rescued by exposure of the cells to recombinant Gal-1. Interestingly, the AR defect was associated with a deficiency in sperm membrane potential hyperpolarization. Our study highlights the relevance of the Gal-1-glycan axis in sperm function with critical implications in mammalian reproductive biology.
Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Polissacarídeos
/
Capacitação Espermática
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Motilidade dos Espermatozoides
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Membrana Celular
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Galectina 1
Limite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
FASEB J
Assunto da revista:
BIOLOGIA
/
FISIOLOGIA
Ano de publicação:
2015
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Argentina