title: Ca2+ signaling tools acquired from prostasomes are required for progesterone-induced sperm motility.
abstract: Progesterone-induced calcium ion (Ca2+) signals in the neck region of sperm play a pivotal role in promoting sperm motility. Here, we show that a long-lasting Ca2+ signal required for sperm motility in response to progesterone depends on their pH-dependent fusion with prostasomes, which are small vesicles secreted by the prostate. We found that prostasome fusion led to the transfer of progesterone receptors, cyclic adenosine diphosphoribose (cADPR)-synthesizing enzymes, ryanodine receptors (RyRs), and other Ca2+ signaling tools from prostasomes to the sperm neck. Progesterone-induced sperm motility relied on cADPR-mediated Ca2+ mobilization through RyR located on acidic Ca2+ stores, followed by Ca2+ entry through store-operated channels. Treatment of prostasome-fused sperm with a cADPR antagonist or fusion with prostasomes in which type 2 RyR was depleted resulted in low fertilization rates, reduced sperm motility, or both. Thus, we conclude that sperm motility depends on the acquisition of Ca2+ signaling tools from prostasomes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Chonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonju 561-180, Korea.
authors.forename: Kwang-Hyun
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Byung-Ju
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Tae-Sik
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Nam
authors.forename: Jung Min
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Hyoung Tae
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jong Kwan
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Young Gon
authors.initials: YG
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Soo-Wan
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Chae
authors.forename: Uh-Hyun
authors.initials: UH
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D020013:Calcium Signaling; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D011374:Progesterone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011467:Prostate / Q000378:metabolism*; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D011374:Progesterone