Advances in human reproductive medicine require in-depth knowledge about the structure and function of gamete proteins. In our recent proteomic analysis of the accessory structures of mouse sperm tails, we demonstrated that important enzymes of adenine nucleotide metabolism are present in the flagellum. Besides basal sperm motility, key sperm functions such as capacitation and hyperactivated motility rely on the use of adenine nucleotides as energy sources and as signaling molecules. However, the mechanisms integrating adenine nucleotides into various pathways of synthesis, degradation, and signaling in sperm are poorly understood. Thus, the broad, long-term goal of this project is to determine how the relative roles of ATP, ADP, and AMP influence sperm motility. We propose that the adenylate energy charge in a given region of the sperm flagellum impacts the quality and vigor of movement in each microenvironment through the energy provided by ATP and modulated by signaling mediated via ATP, ADP, and AMP. To address these issues, we propose three specific aims.
Aim 1 is to determine how sperm motility is regulated by adenylate kinase through the interconversion of ADP to ATP plus AMP. The hypothesis to be tested is that the adenylate energy charge within a given sperm cell affects the quality of motility and underlies the changes associated with hyperactivation.
Aim 2 is to Identify AK proteins of sperm and the flagellar proteins that interact with them. The hypothesisto be tested is that sperm AKs form regulatory complexes with other proteins of the flagellum.
Aim 3 is to determine the regulatory pathway(s) utilized by AMP to modify sperm motility. The hypothesis to be tested is that AMP-sensitive enzymes are important regulators of sperm physiology. We propose that adenine nucleotides serve multiple roles as primary energy stores (ATP), supplemental energy (ADP), and energy gauge (AMP) to regulate sperm metabolism and motility.

Public Health Relevance

Sperm must have proper motility to fertilize an egg. Understanding the roles of adenine nucleotides in regulating the rate, amplitude, and waveforms of the sperm flagellum may provide new ways to assist couples experiencing infertility and to develop new forms of contraception. Information gained from these studies may aid in the understanding of globally important diseases/infections involving flagella (e.g., polycystic kidney disease, trypanosomes).

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01HD057144-05
Application #
8388779
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-EMNR-G (07))
Program Officer
Taymans, Susan
Project Start
2008-12-01
Project End
2014-11-30
Budget Start
2012-12-01
Budget End
2014-11-30
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2013
Total Cost
$301,865
Indirect Cost
$110,205
Name
University of Pennsylvania
Department
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
042250712
City
Philadelphia
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
19104
Vadnais, Melissa L; Cao, Wenlei; Aghajanian, Haig K et al. (2014) Adenine nucleotide metabolism and a role for AMP in modulating flagellar waveforms in mouse sperm. Biol Reprod 90:128
Ijiri, T W; Vadnais, M L; Huang, A P et al. (2014) Thiol changes during epididymal maturation: a link to flagellar angulation in mouse spermatozoa? Andrology 2:65-75
Buffone, Mariano G; Hirohashi, Noritaka; Gerton, George L (2014) Unresolved questions concerning mammalian sperm acrosomal exocytosis. Biol Reprod 90:112
Vadnais, Melissa L; Aghajanian, Haig K; Lin, Angel et al. (2013) Signaling in sperm: toward a molecular understanding of the acquisition of sperm motility in the mouse epididymis. Biol Reprod 89:127
Ijiri, Takashi W; Vadnais, Melissa L; Lin, Angel M et al. (2013) Male mice express spermatogenic cell-specific triosephosphate isomerase isozymes. Mol Reprod Dev 80:862-70
Buffone, Mariano G; Ijiri, Takashi W; Cao, Wenlei et al. (2012) Heads or tails? Structural events and molecular mechanisms that promote mammalian sperm acrosomal exocytosis and motility. Mol Reprod Dev 79:4-18
Cao, Wenlei; Ijiri, Takashi W; Huang, Andy P et al. (2011) Characterization of a novel tektin member, TEKT5, in mouse sperm. J Androl 32:55-69
Kim, Kye-Seong; Foster, James A; Kvasnicka, Kevin W et al. (2011) Transitional states of acrosomal exocytosis and proteolytic processing of the acrosomal matrix in guinea pig sperm. Mol Reprod Dev 78:930-41