The galectin-1-glycan axis controls sperm fertilizing capacity by regulating sperm motility and membrane hyperpolarization
Lectin-glycan recognition systems play central roles in many physiologic and pathologic processes. We identified a role for galectin-1 (Gal-1), a highly conserved glycan-binding protein, in the control of sperm function. We found that Gal-1 is expressed in the epididymis and associates with sperm du...
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| Autores principales: | , , |
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2015
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| Acceso en línea: | https://bibliotecadigital.exactas.uba.ar/collection/paper/document/paper_08926638_v29_n10_p4189_Vasen http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12110/paper_08926638_v29_n10_p4189_Vasen |
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| Sumario: | Lectin-glycan recognition systems play central roles in many physiologic and pathologic processes. We identified a role for galectin-1 (Gal-1), a highly conserved glycan-binding protein, in the control of sperm function. We found that Gal-1 is expressed in the epididymis and associates with sperm during epididymal maturation. Exposure of sperm to Gal-1 resulted in glycandependent modulation of the acrosome reaction (AR), a key event in the fertilization process. Gal-1-deficient (Lgals12/2 ) mice revealed the essential contribution of this lectin for full sperm fertilizing ability both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, Lgals12/2 sperm exhibited defects in their ability to develop hyperactivation, a vigorous motility required for penetration of the egg vestments. Moreover, Lgals12/2 sperm showed a decreased ability to control cell volume and to undergo progesterone-induced AR, phenotypes that were rescued by exposure of the cells to recombinant Gal-1. Interestingly, the AR defect was associated with a deficiency in sperm membrane potential hyperpolarization. Our study highlights the relevance of the Gal-1-glycan axis in sperm function with critical implications in mammalian reproductive biology.-Vasen, G., Battistone, M. A., Croci, D. O., Brukman, N. G., Weigel Muńoz, M., Stupirski, J. C., Rabinovich, G. A., Cuasnicú, P. S. The galectin-1-glycan axis controls sperm fertilizing capacity by regulating sperm motility and membrane hyperpolarization. © FASEB. |
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