A unique mechanism for cyclic adenosine 3′,5′‐monophosphate‐induced increase of 32‐kDa tyrosine‐phosphorylated protein in boar spermatozoa

A cAMP‐induced increase of tyrosine‐phosphorylated proteins is involved in the expression of fertilizing ability in mammalian spermatozoa. We (Harayama, 2003: J Androl 24:831–842) reported that incubation of boar spermatozoa with a cell‐permeable cAMP analog (cBiMPS) increased a 32‐kDa tyrosine‐phosphorylated protein (TyrP32). The purpose of this study is to characterize the signaling cascades that regulate the cAMP‐induced increase of TyrP32. We examined effects of tyrosine kinase inhibitor (lavendustin A), tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor (Na3VO4), cell‐permeable calcium chelator (BAPTA‐AM), and cholesterol acceptor (methyl‐β‐cyclodextrin: MBC) on the increase of TyrP32 and the change and loss of acrosomes in boar spermatozoa. The spermatozoa were used for detection of tyrosine‐phosphorylated proteins by Western blotting and indirect immunofluorescence and for examination of acrosomal integrity by Giemsa staining. At least eight tyrosine‐phosphorylated proteins including TyrP32 exhibited the cAMP‐dependent increase during incubation with cBiMPS. In many proteins of them, this increase was reduced by lavendustin A but was enhanced by Na3VO4. In contrast, the cAMP‐induced increase of TyrP32 was abolished by Na3VO4 but was hardly affected by lavendustin A. Giemsa staining showed that the increase of spermatozoa with weakly Giemsa‐stained acrosomes (severely damaged acrosomes) or without acrosomes was correlative to the cAMP‐induced increase of TyrP32. Moreover, the lack of calcium chloride in the incubation medium or pretreatment of spermatozoa with BAPTA‐AM blocked the change and loss of acrosomes and the increase of TyrP32, suggesting these events are dependent on the extracellular and intracellular calcium. On the other hand, incubation of spermatozoa with MBC in the absence of cBiMPS could mimic the change and loss of acrosomes and increase of TyrP32 without increase of other tyrosine‐phosphorylated proteins. Based on these results, we conclude that the cAMP‐induced increase of TyrP32 is regulated by a unique mechanism that may be linked to the calcium‐dependent change and loss of acrosomes. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 69: 194–204, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

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