title: Identification of distinct K+ channels in mouse spermatogenic cells and sperm.
abstract: Potassium (K+) channels are believed to regulate mammalian sperm acquisition of fertilising capacity. However, the molecular identity of these proteins in sperm has not been elucidated. In this report, using immunoconfocal and electron microscopy we show that a minimum of four different classes of K+ channels (Kv1.1, Kv1.2, Kv3.1 and GIRK1) are present and regionally distributed over the surface of mouse epididymal sperm. In addition, the use of reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction on RNA from mouse spermatogenic cells allowed the amplification of multiple transcripts corresponding to the channels identified by immunocytochemistry. Consistent with this, whole-cell patch-clamp recordings showed the expression of at least two different outwardly rectifying K+ currents in spermatogenic cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Biophysics and Neuroscience, Cinvestav-IPN, Mexico City, Mexico.
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Felix
authors.forename: Carmen J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Serrano
authors.forename: Claudia L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Treviño
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Muñoz-Garay
authors.forename: Alejandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bravo
authors.forename: América
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Navarro
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pacheco
authors.forename: Victor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Tsutsumi
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Darszon
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004594:Electrophysiology; D004822:Epididymis / Q000166:cytology; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000032:analysis* / Q000145:classification; D013091:Spermatogenesis; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D015221:Potassium Channels