Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 64, 95123 Catania, Italy.
Biomolecules. 2024 Oct 12;14(10):1290. doi: 10.3390/biom14101290.
Male infertility affects nearly 50% of infertile couples, with various underlying causes, including endocrine disorders, testicular defects, and environmental factors. Spermatozoa rely on mitochondrial oxidative metabolism for motility and fertilization, with mitochondria playing a crucial role in sperm energy production, calcium regulation, and redox balance. Voltage-dependent anion channels (VDACs), located on the outer mitochondrial membrane, regulate energy and metabolite exchange, which are essential for sperm function. This review offers an updated analysis of VDACs in the male reproductive system, summarizing recent advances in understanding their expression patterns, molecular functions, and regulatory mechanisms. Although VDACs have been widely studied in other tissues, their specific roles in male reproductive physiology still remain underexplored. Special attention is given to the involvement of VDAC2/3 isoforms, which may influence mitochondrial function in sperm cells and could be implicated in male fertility disorders. This update provides a comprehensive framework for future research in reproductive biology, underscoring the significance of VDACs as a molecular link between mitochondrial function and male fertility.
男性不育症影响了近 50%的不孕夫妇，其潜在病因包括内分泌紊乱、睾丸缺陷和环境因素。精子的运动和受精依赖于线粒体的氧化代谢，线粒体在精子能量产生、钙调节和氧化还原平衡中起着至关重要的作用。位于线粒体外膜上的电压依赖性阴离子通道（VDACs）调节能量和代谢物交换，这对精子功能至关重要。本综述对男性生殖系统中的 VDACs 进行了更新分析，总结了近年来对其表达模式、分子功能和调节机制的理解进展。尽管 VDACs 在其他组织中已得到广泛研究，但它们在男性生殖生理学中的具体作用仍未得到充分探索。特别关注 VDAC2/3 同工型的参与，其可能影响精子细胞中线粒体的功能，并可能与男性生育障碍有关。本综述为生殖生物学的未来研究提供了一个全面的框架，强调了 VDACs 作为线粒体功能和男性生育能力之间的分子联系的重要性。
