Forskolin does not activate sperm adenylate cyclase.

Forskolin, a potent activator of adenylate cyclase, has been proposed to activate this enzyme by a direct interaction with the catalytic subunit. To test this hypothesis, we examined the effects of forskolin on sperm cyclic AMP content and sperm adenylate cyclase activity. Forskolin or cholera toxin did not increase cyclic AMP content in either bull or boar sperm, whereas the inhibitors of phosphodiesterase, caffeine and methylisobutylxanthine, significantly increased sperm cyclic AMP content. Forskolin, NaF, and guanylimidodiphosphate did not activate the adenylate cyclase of either sperm membranes or cytosol. When homogenates of rat, guinea pig, or bull testes were centrifuged at 100,000 X g, the supernatant was found to contain a forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase. Further centrifugation of this 100,000 X g supernatant fraction at 250,000 X g for 3 hr quantitatively sedimented the forskolin-sensitive enzyme activity. We conclude that forskolin does not activate either the cytosolic or membrane-bound adenylate cyclase of mammalian sperm.