Tryptase inhibits motility of human spermatozoa mainly by activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway

Weidinger, S.; Mayerhofer, Artur; Kunz, Lars ; Albrecht, M.; Sbornik, M.; Wunn, E.; Hollweck, R.; Ring, J. und Kohn, F. M. (2005): Tryptase inhibits motility of human spermatozoa mainly by activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. In: Human Reproduction, Bd. 20, Nr. 2: S. 456-461

Abstract

Background: We previously localized protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR-2) on human spermatozoa and demonstrated that activation of PAR-2 by the mast cell (MC) product tryptase inhibits sperm motility. Importantly, tryptase-secreting MCs are encountered in the male and female genital tract, implying that MC-spermatozoa interactions may be as yet unrecognized factors affecting sperm fertilizing ability. In order to elucidate how tryptase via activation of PAR-2 acts in human spermatozoa, we studied intracellular signal transduction events. Methods and Results: Impairment of sperm motility by tryptase was not dependent on the presence of extracellular Ca2+ and tryptase did not alter intracellular Ca2+ levels. Pre-incubation with pertussis toxin (PTX) failed to prevent tryptase effects on sperm motility. Western blot analyses revealed that tryptase increased phosphorylation of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) ERK1/2, an effect which was blocked by the MAPK pathway inhibitor PD98059. Pre-treatment of spermatozoa with this inhibitor also blocked the inhibtion of sperm motility evoked by tryptase. Conclusions: These results indicate that tryptase acts via the ERK1/2 pathway to inhibit motility of human spermatozoa.

• Dokumententyp: Zeitschriftenartikel
• Fakultät: Medizin ; Biologie > Department Biologie II > Neurobiologie
• Themengebiete: 500 Naturwissenschaften und Mathematik > 570 Biowissenschaften; Biologie
• ISSN: 0268-1161
• Sprache: Englisch