Cyclic nucleotide-gated channels and sperm function.
- Author:
Jian-Hua XU
1
;
Jing DU
Author Information
1. Department of Reproductive Biology, Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research, NPFPC Laboratory of Contraception and Devices, Shanghai 200032, China.
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH:
Animals;
Calcium;
metabolism;
Cyclic Nucleotide-Gated Cation Channels;
physiology;
Humans;
Male;
Spermatozoa;
metabolism;
physiology
- From:National Journal of Andrology
2013;19(3):270-273
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
The cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channel is a nonselective cation channel and one of the main entrances of Ca2+ influxion into cells. CNG channels are opened by direct binding of cyclic nucleotides. Six different genes encode the CNG protein, 4 A subunits and 2 B subunits. The activity of CNG channels can be regulated by Ca2+/Ca(2+)-binding proteins (CaM) and phosphorylation/dephosphorylation. Recently, extensive attention has been drawn to the researches on CNG channels in the reproductive system, and many studies show that CNG channels play a pivotal role in sperm motility, capacitation and acrosome reaction. This article focuses on the relationship of CNG channels with sperm function.
