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The galectin‐1‐glycan axis controls sperm fertilizing capacity by regulating sperm motility and membrane hyperpolarization
Author(s) -
Vasen Gustavo,
Battistone Maria Agustina,
Croci Diego O.,
Brakman Nicolás G.,
Muñoz Mariana Weigel,
Stupirski Juan C.,
Rabinovich Gabriel A.,
Cuasnicú Patricia S.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fj.15-270975
Subject(s) - sperm , microbiology and biotechnology , sperm motility , capacitation , hyperactivation , glycan , biology , motility , acrosome , galectin , epididymis , acrosome reaction , chemistry , biochemistry , glycoprotein , genetics
Lectin‐glycan recognition systems play central roles in many physiologic and pathologic processes. We identified a role for galectin‐1 (Gal‐1), a highly conserved glycan‐binding protein, in the control of sperm function. We found that Gal‐1 is expressed in the epididymis and associates with sperm during epididymal maturation. Exposure of sperm to Gal‐1 resulted in glycan‐dependent modulation of the acrosome reaction (AR), a key event in the fertilization process. Gal‐1‐deficient ( Lgals1 ‐/‐ )mice revealed the essential contribution of this lectin for full sperm fertilizing ability both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, Lgals1 ‐/‐ sperm exhibited defects in their ability to develop hyperactivation, a vigorous motility required for penetration of the egg vestments. Moreover, Lgals1 ‐/‐ sperm showed a decreased ability to control cell volume and to undergo progesterone‐induced AR, phenotypes that were rescued by exposure of the cells to recombinant Gal‐1. Interestingly, the AR defect was associated with a deficiency in sperm membrane potential hyperpolarization. Our study highlights the relevance of the Gal‐1‐glycan axis in sperm function with critical implications in mammalian reproductive biology.—Vasen, G., Battistone, M. A., Croci, D. O., Brukman, N. G., Weigel Muñoz, M., Stupirski, J. C., Rabinovich, G. A., Cuasnicú, P. S. The galectin‐1‐glycan axis controls sperm fertilizing capacity by regulating sperm motility and membrane hyperpolarization. FASEB J. 29, 4189‐4200 (2015). www.fasebj.org