|
1
|
Syeda SS, Carlson EJ, Miller MR, Francis R, Clapham DE, Lishko PV, Hawkinson JE, Hook D, Georg GI. The Fungal Sexual Pheromone Sirenin Activates the Human CatSper Channel Complex. ACS Chem Biol 2016; 11:452-9. [PMID: 26674547 PMCID: PMC4761407 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.5b00748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The basal fungus Allomyces macrogynus (A. macrogynus) produces motile male gametes displaying well-studied chemotaxis toward their female counterparts. This chemotaxis is driven by sirenin, a sexual pheromone released by the female gametes. The pheromone evokes a large calcium influx in the motile gametes, which could proceed through the cation channel of sperm (CatSper) complex. Herein, we report the total synthesis of sirenin in 10 steps and 8% overall yield and show that the synthetic pheromone activates the CatSper channel complex, indicated by a concentration-dependent increase in intracellular calcium in human sperm. Sirenin activation of the CatSper channel was confirmed using whole-cell patch clamp electrophysiology with human sperm. Based on this proficient synthetic route and confirmed activation of CatSper, analogues of sirenin can be designed as blockers of the CatSper channel that could provide male contraceptive agents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shameem Sultana Syeda
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry and Institute for Therapeutics Discovery and
Development, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55414, United States
| | - Erick J. Carlson
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry and Institute for Therapeutics Discovery and
Development, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55414, United States
| | - Melissa R. Miller
- Department
of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Department
of Physiology, University of California, San Francisco, California 94158, United States
| | - Rawle Francis
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry and Institute for Therapeutics Discovery and
Development, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55414, United States
| | - David E. Clapham
- Department
of Cardiology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
- Department
of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Polina V. Lishko
- Department
of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Jon E. Hawkinson
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry and Institute for Therapeutics Discovery and
Development, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55414, United States
| | - Derek Hook
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry and Institute for Therapeutics Discovery and
Development, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55414, United States
| | - Gunda I. Georg
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry and Institute for Therapeutics Discovery and
Development, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55414, United States
| |
Collapse
|
|
2
|
Pommerville JC, Strickland JB, Harding KE. Pheromone interactions and ionic communication in gametes of aquatic fungusAllomyces macrogynus. J Chem Ecol 2013; 16:121-31. [PMID: 24264902 DOI: 10.1007/bf01021274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/1989] [Accepted: 03/17/1989] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The flagellate male and female gametes of the aquatic fungusAllomyces macrogynus are each attracted to a sexual pheromone produced by the opposite gamete type. The sperm attractant, sirenin, causes chemotaxis to female gametes. Examination of sperm chemotaxis shows that the pheromone influences the frequency of directional changes and the duration of a chemotactic run. Physiological experiments using tertiary amine local anesthetics or calcium chelators such as EGTA demonstrate that sirenin stimulates the influx of calcium ions (Ca(2+)) into the sperm cytoplasm. Radiological experiments with(45)CaCl2 have demonstrated this calcium flux directly. Structurally, sirenin is an oxygenated sesquiterpene that consists of a cyclopropyl ring attached onto an isohexenyl side chain. The pheromone displays a threshold concentration for attraction at 10 pM in chemotaxis bioassays. Structure-activity relationships with racemic sirenin and sirenin analogs indicate that biological activity requires a terminal hydroxymethyl group on the side chain. In addition, a hydrophobic group must be present at the other end of the sirenin molecule. Besides sirenin, the sperm cells ofA. macrogynus produce a female attractant, parisin. While the molecular nature of this attractant is not completely resolved, some general features of the molecule suggest it may be similar structurally to sirenin.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J C Pommerville
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, 77843, College Station, Texas
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
|
3
|
Yoshida M, Hiradate Y, Sensui N, Cosson J, Morisawa M. Species-specificity of sperm motility activation and chemotaxis: a study on ascidian species. THE BIOLOGICAL BULLETIN 2013; 224:156-165. [PMID: 23995740 DOI: 10.1086/bblv224n3p156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Egg-derived sperm-activating factors and attractants activate sperm motility and attract the sperm, respectively. These phenomena constitute the first communication signaling between males and females in the process of fertilization in many animals and plants, and in many cases, these are species-specific events. Thus, sperm motility activation and chemotaxis may act as a safety process for the authentication between conspecific egg and sperm, and help to prevent crossbreeding. Here, we examine species-specificity of sperm motility activation and chemotaxis in the ascidians belonging to the order Phlebobranchiata: Ciona intestinalis, Ciona savignyi, Phallusia mammillata, Phallusia nigra, and Ascidia sydneiensis. Cross-reactivity in both motility activation and chemotaxis of sperm was not observed between C. savignyi and P. mammillata, or between A. sydneiensis and Phallusia spp. However, there is a "one way" (no reciprocity) cross-reaction between P. mammillata and P. nigra in sperm activation, and between C. savignyi and A. sydneiensis in sperm chemotaxis. Furthermore, the level of activity is different, even when cross-reaction is observed. Thus, sperm motility activation and chemotaxis are neither "species-" nor "genus-" specific phenomena among the ascidian species. Moreover, the interaction between the sperm-activating and sperm-attracting factors (SAAFs) in the ascidian species and the SAAF receptors on the sperm cells are not all-or-none responses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Manabu Yoshida
- Misaki Marine Biological Station, School of Science, University of Tokyo, Miura, Kanagawa, Japan.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
|
5
|
Ramón DJ, Yus M. Arene-catalysed reductive lithiation of tetrahydrofuran: improved synthesis of 1,5-diols. Tetrahedron 1992. [DOI: 10.1016/s0040-4020(01)88496-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
|