Intracellular pH (pHi) regulation is vital for cell function. function RN486 of NHA1 in spermatozoa it is desirable to analyze sperm function of NHA-1 knockout animals. Voltage gated H+ channel In 2006 two organizations independently recognized a voltage-gated H+ channel (Hv channel) [41] [42] which is composed of 4 transmembrane segments structurally similar to the voltage sensor website commonly found in additional voltage-gated ion channels. This channel is present like a homodimer with two H+ pores since each subunit forms a H+ permeable pore. The Hv channel is triggered by membrane potential depolarization and an outward H+ gradient across the plasma membrane. In addition unsaturated fatty acids such as arachidonic acid enhance the Hv channel activity while Zn2+ potently inhibits it [13]. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings from human being sperm exposed a relatively large voltage-dependent H+ conductance [12]. Western blotting and immunostaining confirmed that sperm possess Hv channels in the principal piece of the flagellum. The sperm Hv channel conserves all the biophysical properties displayed in somatic cells or heterologous systems including becoming potently inhibited by Zn2+. This last house is particularly important for sperm pHi rules since it is known that human being seminal fluid contains a millimolar range of Zn2+ which should RN486 completely block the H+ conductance of the Hv channel and it may account for the action of Zn2+ like a decapacitation element [43]. In addition sperm RN486 Hv channels are activated from the endocannabinoid anandamide which may explain part of its positive effects on mammalian reproduction [12]. Although human sperm display large H+ currents (100 pA/pF RN486 at +100 mV) those of Rabbit Polyclonal to IRAK3. mouse sperm are quite small (<10 pA/pF) [12]. These results indicate that human and mouse sperm regulate their pHi differently. Carbonic anhydrases Besides the H+ carriers and the HCO3? transporters the cells also depend on carbonic anhydrases (CAs) to properly regulate their pHi. CAs are ubiquitous metalloenzymes (depending on the isoform they require Zn2+ Fe2+ Co2+ or Cd2+ as cofactor) present in the three life domains (bacteria archaea and eukarya). The principal function of CAs is to catalyze the reversible reaction of carbon dioxide hydration to bicarbonate and proton (CO2 + H2O ? HCO3? + H+). CAs are encoded by five gene families without apparent evolutionary relationship: α β γ δ and δ. The sixteen isoforms of αCAs (ACI-ACXV) are the only CAs present in mammals showing distinct subcellular and tissue distribution kinetic properties and sensitivity to inhibitors [44]. Despite the importance of CAs in the regulation of pHi RN486 in all living organisms so far little information is available about their presence in mammalian sperm and even less is known about their function in the physiology of these cells (see Table 1). Table 1 Molecules involved in the regulation of pHi in mammalian sperm The presence of different isoforms of αCAs in mammalian spermatozoa suggests a possible role of these metalloenzymes throughout the development of male gametes or during the physiological events that occur prior to fertilization. In fact this seems to be the case at least for motility as a HCO3? intracellular increase as well as a H+ decrease (both ions produced by the CAs' reaction) are fundamental to this process in mammalian sperm [45]. However the available studies that suggest the direct participation of CAs in the balance of these ions during motility are still scarce. It has been shown that mouse and human spermatozoa increase their flagellar beat frequency when exposed to CO2 and this effect is inhibited by ethoxyzolamide (EZA; a specific CAs inhibitor) [46] [47]. It was also found that CAIV?/? mouse sperm display a decrease in the total activity of CAs as well as a decrease in their response to CO2 [46]. It is worth mentioning that in marine organisms the participation of CAs in sperm motility has also been researched. In flatfish spermatozoa a 29 kDa CA isoform (most likely CAII taking into consideration its aminoacid series) was recognized in high quantities. Software of EZA affected sperm motility [48] strongly. Alternatively in spermatozoa from a particular kind of squid the creation of H+ with a plasma membrane-anchored CA (along with an.