title: Contraception: Search for an Ideal Unisex Mechanism by Targeting Ion Channels.
abstract: Targeting sperm ion channels and other sperm-specific proteins is an effective way to develop unisex contraceptives, as they should have decreased side effects. This Science & Society summarizes the current advances in human sperm physiology in attempts to evaluate what would be appropriate targets for unisex contraceptives.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA. Electronic address: lishko@berkeley.edu.
authors.forename: Polina V
authors.initials: PV
authors.lastname: Lishko
mesh_terms: D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D003267:Contraception / Q000379:methods; D003272:Contraceptive Agents, Male / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005306:Fertilization / Q000187:drug effects; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D051037:Large-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channel alpha Subunits / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D010063:Ovum / Q000187:drug effects; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D013075:Sperm Capacitation / Q000187:drug effects; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: C438823:CATSPER1 protein, human; D015220:Calcium Channels; D003272:Contraceptive Agents, Male; C494841:KCNMA1 protein, human; D051037:Large-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channel alpha Subunits; C485719:ATP1A4 protein, human; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase; D002118:Calcium