Protein palmitoylation is involved in regulating mouse sperm motility via the signals of calcium, protein tyrosine phosphorylation and reactive oxygen species

Abstract Background Protein palmitoylation, a critical posttranslational modification, plays an indispensable role in various cellular processes, including the regulation of protein stability, mediation of membrane fusion, facilitation of intracellular protein trafficking, and participation in cellu...

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Main Authors: Yuping Xiong, Chenchen Yi, Haixia Zheng, Ya Ni, Yamei Xue, Kun Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-01-01
Series:Biological Research
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s40659-024-00580-4
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author Yuping Xiong
Chenchen Yi
Haixia Zheng
Ya Ni
Yamei Xue
Kun Li
author_facet Yuping Xiong
Chenchen Yi
Haixia Zheng
Ya Ni
Yamei Xue
Kun Li
author_sort Yuping Xiong
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Protein palmitoylation, a critical posttranslational modification, plays an indispensable role in various cellular processes, including the regulation of protein stability, mediation of membrane fusion, facilitation of intracellular protein trafficking, and participation in cellular signaling pathways. It is also implicated in the pathogenesis of diseases, such as cancer, neurological disorders, inflammation, metabolic disorders, infections, and neurodegenerative diseases. However, its regulatory effects on sperm physiology, particularly motility, remain unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the mechanism by which protein palmitoylation governs sperm motility. Methods Protein palmitoylation in situ in mouse sperm was observed using innovative click chemistry. Sperm motility and motion parameters were evaluated using a computer-assisted sperm analyzer (CASA) after treatment with 2-bromopalmitic acid (2BP), a specific inhibitor of protein palmitoylation. Protein palmitoylation levels were confirmed by the acyl-biotin exchange (ABE) method. The interplay between protein palmitoylation, protein tyrosine phosphorylation, and intracellular calcium was investigated using Western blotting, ABE method, and fluorescent probes. The regulation of reactive oxygen species was also examined using fluorescent probes. Results Localized patterns and dynamics of protein palmitoylation in distinct sperm regions were revealed, including the midpiece, post-acrosomal region, acrosome, and head. Alterations in protein palmitoylation in sperm were observed under in vitro physiological conditions. Treatment with 2BP significantly affected sperm motility and motion parameters. The study revealed interactions between protein palmitoylation, including heat shock protein 90, and protein kinase A/protein kinase C-associated protein tyrosine phosphorylation and intracellular calcium. Additionally, protein palmitoylation was found to be involved in reactive oxygen species regulation. Conclusions Protein palmitoylation regulates sperm motility through calcium signaling, protein tyrosine phosphorylation, and reactive oxygen species. This study revealed the characteristics of protein palmitoylation in sperm and its role in regulating sperm motility, thereby providing novel insights into the causes of asthenozoospermia associated with sperm motility in humans.
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spelling doaj-art-b1b73549d369482297a99ab36f615ec22025-01-19T12:11:02ZengBMCBiological Research0717-62872025-01-0158111810.1186/s40659-024-00580-4Protein palmitoylation is involved in regulating mouse sperm motility via the signals of calcium, protein tyrosine phosphorylation and reactive oxygen speciesYuping Xiong0Chenchen Yi1Haixia Zheng2Ya Ni3Yamei Xue4Kun Li5School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Medical CollegeSchool of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Medical CollegeSchool of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Medical CollegeSchool of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Medical CollegeDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Assisted Reproduction Unit, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang UniversitySchool of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Medical CollegeAbstract Background Protein palmitoylation, a critical posttranslational modification, plays an indispensable role in various cellular processes, including the regulation of protein stability, mediation of membrane fusion, facilitation of intracellular protein trafficking, and participation in cellular signaling pathways. It is also implicated in the pathogenesis of diseases, such as cancer, neurological disorders, inflammation, metabolic disorders, infections, and neurodegenerative diseases. However, its regulatory effects on sperm physiology, particularly motility, remain unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the mechanism by which protein palmitoylation governs sperm motility. Methods Protein palmitoylation in situ in mouse sperm was observed using innovative click chemistry. Sperm motility and motion parameters were evaluated using a computer-assisted sperm analyzer (CASA) after treatment with 2-bromopalmitic acid (2BP), a specific inhibitor of protein palmitoylation. Protein palmitoylation levels were confirmed by the acyl-biotin exchange (ABE) method. The interplay between protein palmitoylation, protein tyrosine phosphorylation, and intracellular calcium was investigated using Western blotting, ABE method, and fluorescent probes. The regulation of reactive oxygen species was also examined using fluorescent probes. Results Localized patterns and dynamics of protein palmitoylation in distinct sperm regions were revealed, including the midpiece, post-acrosomal region, acrosome, and head. Alterations in protein palmitoylation in sperm were observed under in vitro physiological conditions. Treatment with 2BP significantly affected sperm motility and motion parameters. The study revealed interactions between protein palmitoylation, including heat shock protein 90, and protein kinase A/protein kinase C-associated protein tyrosine phosphorylation and intracellular calcium. Additionally, protein palmitoylation was found to be involved in reactive oxygen species regulation. Conclusions Protein palmitoylation regulates sperm motility through calcium signaling, protein tyrosine phosphorylation, and reactive oxygen species. This study revealed the characteristics of protein palmitoylation in sperm and its role in regulating sperm motility, thereby providing novel insights into the causes of asthenozoospermia associated with sperm motility in humans.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40659-024-00580-4Protein palmitoylationSperm motilityProtein tyrosine phosphorylationCalciumReactive oxygen speciesAsthenozoospermia
spellingShingle Yuping Xiong
Chenchen Yi
Haixia Zheng
Ya Ni
Yamei Xue
Kun Li
Protein palmitoylation is involved in regulating mouse sperm motility via the signals of calcium, protein tyrosine phosphorylation and reactive oxygen species
Biological Research
Protein palmitoylation
Sperm motility
Protein tyrosine phosphorylation
Calcium
Reactive oxygen species
Asthenozoospermia
title Protein palmitoylation is involved in regulating mouse sperm motility via the signals of calcium, protein tyrosine phosphorylation and reactive oxygen species
title_full Protein palmitoylation is involved in regulating mouse sperm motility via the signals of calcium, protein tyrosine phosphorylation and reactive oxygen species
title_fullStr Protein palmitoylation is involved in regulating mouse sperm motility via the signals of calcium, protein tyrosine phosphorylation and reactive oxygen species
title_full_unstemmed Protein palmitoylation is involved in regulating mouse sperm motility via the signals of calcium, protein tyrosine phosphorylation and reactive oxygen species
title_short Protein palmitoylation is involved in regulating mouse sperm motility via the signals of calcium, protein tyrosine phosphorylation and reactive oxygen species
title_sort protein palmitoylation is involved in regulating mouse sperm motility via the signals of calcium protein tyrosine phosphorylation and reactive oxygen species
topic Protein palmitoylation
Sperm motility
Protein tyrosine phosphorylation
Calcium
Reactive oxygen species
Asthenozoospermia
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s40659-024-00580-4
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