title: Sperm channel diversity and functional multiplicity.
abstract: Ion channels are extraordinarily efficient machines that move ions in diversely controlled manners, allowing cells to rapidly exchange information with the outside world and with other cells. Communication is the currency of fertilization, as it is of most fundamental cell signaling events. Ion channels are deeply involved in the dialogue between sperm, its surroundings, and the egg. How sperm swim, find the egg and fertilize it depend on ion permeability changes modulated by environmental cues and components of the egg outer layer. Different ion channels distinctly localized in these tiny, amazing cells perform specific decoding functions that shape the sophisticated behavior of sperm. It is not surprising that certain sperm ion channels are turning out to be unique. New strategies to characterize sperm ion transport have opened exciting possibilities to dissect sperm-egg signaling and unveil novel contraception targets.
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetics of Development and Molecular Physiology, Institute of Biotechnology, UNAM, Cuernavaca, Mexico.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Darszon
authors.forename: Juan J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Acevedo
authors.forename: Blanca E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Galindo
authors.forename: Enrique O
authors.initials: EO
authors.lastname: Hernández-González
authors.forename: Takuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nishigaki
authors.forename: Claudia L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Treviño
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wood
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Beltrán
mesh_terms: D020101:Acrosome Reaction / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008322:Mammals; D012617:Sea Urchins; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*; D013075:Sperm Capacitation / Q000502:physiology; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000502:physiology; D013084:Sperm-Ovum Interactions / Q000502:physiology*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D007473:Ion Channels