Sperm-specific Cation Channels, CatSper Family; Characteristics, Function, and Clinical Value / 대한남성과학회지

ABSTRACT

In human reproduction, fertilization is the first step for successful pregnancy. From the perspective of sperm physiology, the progressive motility and capacitation, including hyperactivation and acrosome reaction, are the most important factors in the fertilization of oocytes. Numerous studies have demonstrated the roles of calcium ions, cyclic nucleotides, and bicarbonate in the acquisition of progressive motility and capacitation. Among these factors, calcium ion plays the most important role. Sperm possess several calcium channels, including voltage-gated calcium channel, cyclic nucleotide-gated calcium channel, transient receptor potential channel, and channels of the CatSper family The CatSper family is a newly-identified group of four sperm-specific cation channels. CatSper1 and CatSper2 proteins localize on the sperm tail and play a critical role in sperm motility and fertilization. In contrast, CatSper3 and CatSper4 proteinsare expressed only in the acrosomal region of sperm head, which implies that they may have a role in the acrosome reaction. Taken together, the CatSper family is the most important group of calcium channels for regulating sperm physiology and appear to be an attractive target for non-hormonal male contraceptives.