Calcium signalling in human spermatozoa: a specialized 'toolkit' of channels, transporters and stores

C Jimenez-Gonzalez, F Michelangeli, C V Harper, C L R Barratt, S J Publicover

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

106 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Ca(2+) is a ubiquitous intracellular messenger which encodes information by temporal and spatial patterns of concentration. In spermatozoa, several key functions, including acrosome reaction and motility, are regulated by cytoplasmic Ca(2+) concentration. Despite the very small size and apparent structural simplicity of spermatozoa, evidence is accumulating that they possess sophisticated mechanisms for regulation of cytoplasmic Ca(2+) concentration and generation of complex Ca(2+) signals. In this review, we consider the various components of the Ca(2+)-signalling 'toolkit' that have been characterized in somatic cells and summarize the evidence for their presence and activity in spermatozoa. In particular, data accumulated over the last few years show that spermatozoa possess one (and probably two) Ca(2+) stores as well as a range of plasma membrane pumps and channels. Selective regulation of the various components of the 'toolkit' by agonists probably allows spermatozoa to generate localized Ca(2+) signals despite their very small cytoplasmic volume, permitting the discrete and selective activation of cell functions.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)253-67
Number of pages15
JournalHuman Reproduction Update
Volume12
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 13 Dec 2005

Keywords

  • Calcium/agonists
  • Calcium Channels/metabolism
  • Calcium Signaling
  • Calcium-Transporting ATPases/metabolism
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Spermatozoa/metabolism

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