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- Title
A K<sup>+</sup>-selective CNG channel orchestrates Ca<sup>2+</sup> signalling in zebrafish sperm.
- Authors
Fechner, Sylvia; Alvarez, Luis; Bönigk, Wolfgang; Müller, Astrid; Berger, Thomas K.; Pascal, Rene; Trötschel, Christian; Poetsch, Ansgar; Stölting, Gabriel; Siegfried, Kellee R.; Kremmer, Elisabeth; Seifert, Reinhard; Kaupp, U. Benjamin
- Abstract
Calcium in the flagellum controls sperm navigation. In sperm of marine invertebrates and mammals, Ca2++ signalling has been intensely studied, whereas for fish little is known. In sea urchin sperm, a cyclic nucleotide-gated K++ channel (CNGK+) mediates a cGMP-induced hyperpolarization that evokes Ca2++ influx. Here, we identify in sperm of the freshwater fish Danio rerio a novel CNGK+ family member featuring non-canonical properties. It is located in the sperm head rather than the flagellum and is controlled by intracellular pH, but not cyclic nucleotides. Alkalization hyperpolarizes sperm and produces Ca2++ entry. Ca2++ induces spinning-like swimming, different from swimming of sperm from other species. The “spinning” mode probably guides sperm into the micropyle, a narrow entrance on the surface of fish eggs. A picture is emerging of sperm channel orthologues that employ different activation mechanisms and serve different functions. The channel inventories probably reflect adaptations to species-specific challenges during fertilization.
- Subjects
FISH spermatozoa; MARINE invertebrates; CYCLIC nucleotides; HYPERPOLARIZATION (Cytology); FISH fertility; SEA urchin eggs; REPRODUCTION
- Publication
eLife, 2015, p1
- ISSN
2050-084X
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.7554/eLife.07624