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Identification of distinct K+ channels in mouse spermatogenic cells and sperm

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 June 2002

Ricardo Felix ,
Carmen J. Serrano ,
Claudio L. Treviño ,
Carlos Muñoz-Garay ,
Alejandra Bravo ,
América Navarro ,
Judith Pacheco ,
Victor Tsutsumi  and
Alberto Darszon
Ricardo Felix
Affiliation:
Department of Physiology, Biophysics and Neuroscience, Cinvestav-IPN, Mexico City, Mexico
Carmen J. Serrano
Affiliation:
Department of Physiology, Biophysics and Neuroscience, Cinvestav-IPN, Mexico City, Mexico
Claudio L. Treviño
Affiliation:
Department of Genetics and Molecular Physiology, Institute of Biotechnology, UNAM, Cuernavaca, Mexico
Carlos Muñoz-Garay
Affiliation:
Department of Genetics and Molecular Physiology, Institute of Biotechnology, UNAM, Cuernavaca, Mexico
Alejandra Bravo
Affiliation:
Department of Physiology, Biophysics and Neuroscience, Cinvestav-IPN, Mexico City, Mexico
América Navarro
Affiliation:
School of Chemical Sciences, La Salle University, Mexico City, Mexico
Judith Pacheco
Affiliation:
Department of Experimental Pathology, Cinvestav-IPN, Mexico City, Mexico School of Medicine, La Salle University, Mexico City, Mexico
Victor Tsutsumi
Affiliation:
Department of Experimental Pathology, Cinvestav-IPN, Mexico City, Mexico
Alberto Darszon
Affiliation:
Department of Genetics and Molecular Physiology, Institute of Biotechnology, UNAM, Cuernavaca, Mexico
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Abstract

Potassium (K+) channels are believed to regulate mammalian sperm acquisition of fertilising capacity. However, the molecular identity of these proteins in sperm has not been elucidated. In this report, using immunoconfocal and electron microscopy we show that a minimum of four different classes of K+ channels (Kv1.1, Kv1.2, Kv3.1 and GIRK1) are present and regionally distributed over the surface of mouse epididymal sperm. In addition, the use of reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction on RNA from mouse spermatogenic cells allowed the amplification of multiple transcripts corresponding to the channels identified by immunocytochemistry. Consistent with this, whole-cell patch-clamp recordings showed the expression of at least two different outwardly rectifying K+ currents in spermatogenic cells.

Keywords

GIRK1K+ channelKv1.1Kv1.2Kv3.1Sperm capacitation
Type
Research Article
Information
Zygote , Volume 10 , Issue 2 , May 2002 , pp. 183 - 188
Copyright
2002 Cambridge University Press

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