scholarly journals Identification of Extracellular Signal-regulated Kinase 1/2 and p38 MAPK as Regulators of Human Sperm Motility and Acrosome Reaction and as Predictors of Poor Spermatozoan Quality

2008 ◽  
Vol 283 (21) ◽  
pp. 14479-14489 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tal Almog ◽  
Shlomi Lazar ◽  
Nachum Reiss ◽  
Nir Etkovitz ◽  
Eyal Milch ◽  
...  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peibei Sun ◽  
Yayan Wang ◽  
Tian Gao ◽  
Kun Li ◽  
Dongwang Zheng ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) is a highly abundant eukaryotic molecular chaperone that plays important roles in client protein maturation, protein folding and degradation, and signal transduction. Previously, we found that both Hsp90 and its co-chaperone cell division cycle protein 37 (Cdc37) were expressed in human sperm. Hsp90 is known to be involved in human sperm capacitation via unknown underlying mechanism(s). As Cdc37 was a kinase-specific co-chaperone of Hsp90, Hsp90 may regulate human sperm capacitation via other kinases. It has been reported that two major mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (Erk1/2) and p38, are expressed in human sperm in the same locations as Hsp90 and Cdc37. Phosphorylated Erk1/2 has been shown to promote sperm hyperactivated motility and acrosome reaction, while phosphorylated p38 inhibits sperm motility. Therefore, in this study we explored whether Hsp90 modulates human sperm capacitation via the Erk1/2 and p38 MAPK signaling pathways. Methods: Human sperm was treated with the Hsp90-specific inhibitor 17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-AAG) during capacitation. Computer-assisted sperm analyzer (CASA) was used to detect sperm motility and hyperactivation. The sperm acrosome reaction was analyzed by using fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated Pisum sativum agglutinin (PSA-FITC) staining. The interactions between Hsp90, Cdc37, Erk1/2 and p38 were assessed using co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) experiments. Western blotting analysis was used to evaluate the levels of protein expression and phosphorylation. Results: Human sperm hyperactivation and acrosome reaction were inhibited by 17-AAG, suggesting that Hsp90 is involved in human sperm capacitation. In addition, Co-IP experiments revealed that 17-AAG reduced the interaction between Hsp90 and Cdc37, leading to the dissociation of Erk1/2 from the Hsp90-Cdc37 protein complex. Western blotting analysis revealed that levels of Erk1/2 and its phosphorylated form were subsequently decreased. Decreasing of Hsp90-Cdc37 complex also affected the interaction between Hsp90 and p38. Nevertheless, p38 dissociated from the Hsp90 protein complex and was activated by autophosphorylation. Conclusions: Taken together, our findings indicate that Hsp90 is involved in human sperm hyperactivation and acrosome reaction. In particular, Hsp90 and its co-chaperone Cdc37 form a protein complex with Erk1/2 and p38 to regulate their kinase activity. These results suggest that Hsp90 regulates human sperm capacitation via the Erk1/2 and p38 MAPK signaling pathways.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peibei Sun ◽  
Yayan Wang ◽  
Tian Gao ◽  
Kun Li ◽  
Dongwang Zheng ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) is a highly abundant eukaryotic molecular chaperone that plays important roles in client protein maturation, protein folding and degradation, and signal transduction. Previously, we found that both Hsp90 and its co-chaperone cell division cycle protein 37 (Cdc37) were expressed in human sperm. Hsp90 is known to be involved in human sperm capacitation via unknown underlying mechanism(s). As Cdc37 was a kinase-specific co-chaperone of Hsp90, Hsp90 may regulate human sperm capacitation via other kinases. It has been reported that two major mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (Erk1/2) and p38, are expressed in human sperm in the same locations as Hsp90 and Cdc37. Phosphorylated Erk1/2 has been shown to promote sperm hyperactivated motility and acrosome reaction, while phosphorylated p38 inhibits sperm motility. Therefore, in this study we explored whether Hsp90 modulates human sperm capacitation via the Erk1/2 and p38 MAPK signaling pathways. Methods: Human sperm was treated with the Hsp90-specific inhibitor 17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-AAG) during capacitation. Computer-assisted sperm analyzer (CASA) was used to detect sperm motility and hyperactivation. The sperm acrosome reaction was analyzed by using fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated Pisum sativum agglutinin (PSA-FITC) staining. The interactions between Hsp90, Cdc37, Erk1/2 and p38 were assessed using co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) experiments. Western blotting analysis was used to evaluate the levels of protein expression and phosphorylation. Results: Human sperm hyperactivation and acrosome reaction were inhibited by 17-AAG, suggesting that Hsp90 is involved in human sperm capacitation. In addition, Co-IP experiments revealed that 17-AAG reduced the interaction between Hsp90 and Cdc37, leading to the dissociation of Erk1/2 from the Hsp90-Cdc37 protein complex. Western blotting analysis revealed that levels of Erk1/2 and its phosphorylated form were subsequently decreased. Decreasing of Hsp90-Cdc37 complex also affected the interaction between Hsp90 and p38. Nevertheless, p38 dissociated from the Hsp90 protein complex and was activated by autophosphorylation. Conclusions: Taken together, our findings indicate that Hsp90 is involved in human sperm hyperactivation and acrosome reaction. In particular, Hsp90 and its co-chaperone Cdc37 form a protein complex with Erk1/2 and p38 to regulate their kinase activity. These results suggest that Hsp90 regulates human sperm capacitation via the Erk1/2 and p38 MAPK signaling pathways.


2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Peibei Sun ◽  
Yayan Wang ◽  
Tian Gao ◽  
Kun Li ◽  
Dongwang Zheng ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) is a highly abundant eukaryotic molecular chaperone that plays important roles in client protein maturation, protein folding and degradation, and signal transduction. Previously, we found that both Hsp90 and its co-chaperone cell division cycle protein 37 (Cdc37) were expressed in human sperm. Hsp90 is known to be involved in human sperm capacitation via unknown underlying mechanism(s). As Cdc37 was a kinase-specific co-chaperone of Hsp90, Hsp90 may regulate human sperm capacitation via other kinases. It has been reported that two major mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (Erk1/2) and p38, are expressed in human sperm in the same locations as Hsp90 and Cdc37. Phosphorylated Erk1/2 has been shown to promote sperm hyperactivated motility and acrosome reaction, while phosphorylated p38 inhibits sperm motility. Therefore, in this study we explored whether Hsp90 modulates human sperm capacitation via the Erk1/2 and p38 MAPK signaling pathways. Methods Human sperm was treated with the Hsp90-specific inhibitor 17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-AAG) during capacitation. Computer-assisted sperm analyzer (CASA) was used to detect sperm motility and hyperactivation. The sperm acrosome reaction was analyzed by using fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated Pisum sativum agglutinin (PSA-FITC) staining. The interactions between Hsp90, Cdc37, Erk1/2 and p38 were assessed using co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) experiments. Western blotting analysis was used to evaluate the levels of protein expression and phosphorylation. Results Human sperm hyperactivation and acrosome reaction were inhibited by 17-AAG, suggesting that Hsp90 is involved in human sperm capacitation. In addition, Co-IP experiments revealed that 17-AAG reduced the interaction between Hsp90 and Cdc37, leading to the dissociation of Erk1/2 from the Hsp90-Cdc37 protein complex. Western blotting analysis revealed that levels of Erk1/2 and its phosphorylated form were subsequently decreased. Decreasing of Hsp90-Cdc37 complex also affected the interaction between Hsp90 and p38. Nevertheless, p38 dissociated from the Hsp90 protein complex and was activated by autophosphorylation. Conclusions Taken together, our findings indicate that Hsp90 is involved in human sperm hyperactivation and acrosome reaction. In particular, Hsp90 and its co-chaperone Cdc37 form a protein complex with Erk1/2 and p38 to regulate their kinase activity. These results suggest that Hsp90 regulates human sperm capacitation via the Erk1/2 and p38 MAPK signaling pathways.


1998 ◽  
Vol 188 (7) ◽  
pp. 1297-1306 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aimin Jiang ◽  
Andrew Craxton ◽  
Tomohiro Kurosaki ◽  
Edward A. Clark

B cell antigen receptor (BCR) cross-linking activates three distinct families of nonreceptor protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs): src-family kinases, Syk, and Btk; these PTKs are responsible for initiating downstream events. BCR cross-linking in the chicken DT40 B cell line also activates three distinct mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs): extracellular signal–regulated kinase (ERK)2, c-jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK)1, and p38 MAPK. To dissect the functional roles of these PTKs in MAPK signaling, activation of MAPKs was examined in various PTK-deficient DT40 cells. BCR-mediated activation of ERK2, although maintained in Lyn-deficient cells, was abolished in Syk-deficient cells and partially inhibited in Btk-deficient cells, indicating that BCR-mediated ERK2 activation requires Syk and that sustained ERK2 activation requires Btk. BCR-mediated JNK1 activation was maintained in Lyn-deficient cells but abolished in both Syk- and Btk-deficient cells, suggesting that JNK1 is activated via a Syk- and Btk-dependent pathway. Consistent with this, BCR-mediated JNK1 activation was dependent on intracellular calcium and phorbol myristate acetate–sensitive protein kinase Cs. In contrast, BCR-mediated p38 MAPK activation was detected in all three PTK-deficient cells, suggesting that no single PTK is essential. However, BCR-mediated p38 MAPK activation was abolished in Lyn/Syk double deficient cells, demonstrating that either Lyn or Syk alone may be sufficient to activate p38 MAPK. Our data show that BCR-mediated MAPK activation is regulated at the level of the PTKs.


Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (18) ◽  
pp. 4231
Author(s):  
Xiatian Li ◽  
Tao Luo ◽  
Hua Li ◽  
Nianlong Yan

Sphingomylin participates in sperm function in animals, and also regulates the Akt and ERK signaling pathways, both of which are associated with the asthenospermia. Sphingomyelin synthase 2 (SMS2) is involved in the biosynthesis of sphingomylin. To determine the relationship between SMS2 and human sperm function, we analyzed the distribution of SMS2 in human sperm and testes, and SMS2 expression in patients with asthenospermia and normozoospermia; human sperm were treated with anti-SMS2, and the sperm motility, penetration ability into methylcellulose, capacitation and acrosome reaction, and sperm [Ca2+]i imaging were evaluated, while the Akt and ERK pathway and cleaved caspase 3 were also analyzed. Results showed that SMS2 was localized in the testis and human sperm, and the protein levels of normozoospermia were higher than asthenospermia. Inhibition of SMS2 activity significantly decreased sperm motility and penetration ability into methylcellulose, but had no influence on capacitation and acrosome reaction, or on intracellular [Ca2+]i compared to IgG-treated control groups. Moreover, the phosphorylation level of Akt was decreased, whereas the phosphorylation of ERK and cleaved-caspase 3 levels were significantly increased. Taken together, SMS2 can affect sperm motility and penetration ability into methylcellulose, and participate in apoptosis associated with the Akt and ERK signaling pathways.


Author(s):  
И.А. Щепеткин ◽  
О.П. Буданова ◽  
И.Ю. Малышев ◽  
Д.Н. Аточин

В обзоре представлены современные данные о механизмах инициации, регуляции и выполнении процесса апоптоза нейтрофилов с участием «рецепторов смерти», митохондрий, белков семейства Bcl-2, PI3-K (phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase), протеинкиназных каскадов p38 MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase), ERK (extracellular signal regulated kinase) и JNK (c-Jun N-terminal kinase), протеинкиназ А, В и С, сAMP, белков теплового шока, NF-kB (nuclear factor-kB), кальпаинов, каспаз и их ингибиторов, активных форм кислорода и других факторов. Предложена гипотетическая модель вовлечения апоптотических процессов в регуляцию дифференцировки и реактивности нейтрофилов. This review presented recent data on initiation, regulation, and execution of neutrophil apoptosis with participation of «death receptors», mitochondria, Bcl-2 family proteins, PI3-K (phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase), p38 MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase), ERK (extracellular signal regulated kinase) and JNK (c-Jun N-terminal kinase) cascades, protein kinases A, B and C, сAMP, heat shock proteins, NF-kB (nuclear factor-kB), calpains, caspases and theirs inhibitors, reactive oxygen species, and other factors. A speculative model of the apoptotic processes involvement in the regulation of neutrophil differentiation and reactivity was proposed.


2006 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 2408-2418 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Brook ◽  
Carmen R. Tchen ◽  
Tomas Santalucia ◽  
Joanne McIlrath ◽  
J. Simon C. Arthur ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway, acting through the downstream kinase MK2, regulates the stability of many proinflammatory mRNAs that contain adenosine/uridine-rich elements (AREs). It is thought to do this by modulating the expression or activity of ARE-binding proteins that regulate mRNA turnover. MK2 phosphorylates the ARE-binding and mRNA-destabilizing protein tristetraprolin (TTP) at serines 52 and 178. Here we show that the p38 MAPK pathway regulates the subcellular localization and stability of TTP protein. A p38 MAPK inhibitor causes rapid dephosphorylation of TTP, relocalization from the cytoplasm to the nucleus, and degradation by the 20S/26S proteasome. Hence, continuous activity of the p38 MAPK pathway is required to maintain the phosphorylation status, cytoplasmic localization, and stability of TTP protein. The regulation of both subcellular localization and protein stability is dependent on MK2 and on the integrity of serines 52 and 178. Furthermore, the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway synergizes with the p38 MAPK pathway to regulate both stability and localization of TTP. This effect is independent of kinases that are known to be synergistically activated by ERK and p38 MAPK. We present a model for the actions of TTP and the p38 MAPK pathway during distinct phases of the inflammatory response.


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