title: Human sperm liver receptor homolog-1 (LRH-1) acts as a downstream target of the estrogen signaling pathway.
abstract: In the last decade, the study of human sperm anatomy, at molecular level, has revealed the presence of several nuclear protein receptors. In this work, we examined the expression profile and the ultrastructural localization of liver receptor homolog-1 (LRH-1) in human spermatozoa. We evidenced the presence of the receptor by Western blotting and real time-RT-PCR. Furthermore, we used immunogold electron microscopy to investigate the sperm anatomical regions containing LRH-1. The receptor was mainly located in the sperm head, whereas its expression was reduced in the neck and across the tail. Interestingly, we observed the presence of LRH-1 in different stages of testicular germ cell development by immunohistochemistry. In somatic cells, it has been suggested that the LRH-1 pathway is tightly linked with estrogen signaling and the important role of estradiol has been widely studied in sperm cells. To assess the significance of LRH-1 in male gametes and to deepen understanding of the role of estrogens in these cells, we investigated important sperm features such as motility, survival and capacitation. Spermatozoa were treated with 10 nm estradiol and the inhibition of LRH-1 reversed the estradiol stimulatory action. From our data, we discovered that human spermatozoa can be considered a new site of expression for LRH-1, evidencing its role in sperm motility, survival and cholesterol efflux. Furthermore, we may presume that in spermatozoa the LRH-1 effects are closely integrated with the estrogen signaling, supporting LRH-1 as a downstream effector of the estradiol pathway on some sperm functions.
authors.affiliation: Centro Sanitario, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende (Cosenza), Italy.
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Montanaro
authors.affiliation: Centro Sanitario, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende (Cosenza), Italy.|Post-graduate School in Clinical Pathology, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende (Cosenza), Italy.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Santoro
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende (Cosenza), Italy.
authors.forename: Amalia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Carpino
authors.affiliation: Department of Di BEST, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende (CS), Italy.
authors.forename: Ida
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Perrotta
authors.affiliation: Centro Sanitario, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende (Cosenza), Italy.|Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende (Cosenza), Italy.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: De Amicis
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende (Cosenza), Italy.
authors.forename: Rosa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sirianni
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende (Cosenza), Italy.
authors.forename: Vittoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Rago
authors.affiliation: University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Serena
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gervasi
authors.affiliation: Centro Sanitario, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende (Cosenza), Italy.|Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende (Cosenza), Italy.
authors.forename: Saveria
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aquila
mesh_terms: D015153:Blotting, Western; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002470:Cell Survival; D004967:Estrogens / Q000378:metabolism*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D012313:RNA / Q000235:genetics*; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D004967:Estrogens; C082631:NR5A2 protein, human; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear; D012313:RNA
keywords: estrogen receptors; human sperm anatomy; human testis; liver receptor homolog-1; male genital tract; nuclear receptors