Department of pharmacy, the affiliated hospital of Qingdao University Medical College, Qingdao, 266555, China.
Department of pharmacy, College of pharmacy of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China.
Reprod Biol Endocrinol. 2017 Aug 15;15(1):65. doi: 10.1186/s12958-017-0281-2.
The Catsper channel is a sperm-specific, Ca-permeable, pH-dependent, and low voltage-dependent channel that is essential for the hyperactivity of sperm flagellum, chemotaxis towards the egg, capacitation and acrosome reaction. All of these physiological events require calcium entry into sperm cells. Remarkably, Catsper genes are exclusively expressed in the testis during spermatogenesis, and are sensitive to ion channel-induced pH change, such as NHEs, CaATPase, K channel, Hv1 channel and HCO transporters. Furthermore, the Catsper channel is regulated by some physiological stimulants, such as progesterone, cyclic nucleotides (e.g., cAMP, cGMP), zona pellucida (ZP) glycoproteins and bovine serum albumin (BSA). All of these factors normally stimulate Ca entry into sperm through the Catsper channel. In addition, the Catsper channel may be a potential target for male infertility treatment or contraception. This review will focus on the structure, functions, regulation mechanisms and medicinal targets of the Catsper channel.
Catsper 通道是一种精子特异性、钙离子通透、pH 依赖性和低电压依赖性通道，对于精子鞭毛的超活化、向卵子的趋化性、获能和顶体反应至关重要。所有这些生理事件都需要钙离子进入精子细胞。值得注意的是，Catsper 基因仅在精子发生期间在睾丸中表达，并且对离子通道诱导的 pH 变化敏感，如 NHEs、CaATPase、K 通道、Hv1 通道和 HCO 转运体。此外，Catsper 通道受一些生理刺激物的调节，如孕激素、环核苷酸（如 cAMP、cGMP）、透明带（ZP）糖蛋白和牛血清白蛋白（BSA）。所有这些因素通常通过 Catsper 通道刺激钙离子进入精子。此外，Catsper 通道可能是男性不育治疗或避孕的潜在靶点。本综述将重点介绍 Catsper 通道的结构、功能、调节机制和药用靶点。
