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  3. The voltage-gated T-type Ca2+ channel is key to the sperm motility of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)

The voltage-gated T-type Ca2+ channel is key to the sperm motility of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)

  • Fish Physiol Biochem. 2020 Oct;46(5):1825-1831. doi: 10.1007/s10695-020-00829-1.
Jorge F Beltrán 1,  Lisandra Herrera Belén 1,  Manuel Lee-Estevez 2,  Elías Figueroa 3,  Kelly Dumorné 1 4,  Jorge G Farias 5
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Science, Universidad de La Frontera, Ave. Francisco Salazar, 01145, Temuco, Chile.
  • 2 Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Sede Temuco. Av. Alemania 1090, Temuco, Chile.
  • 3 Núcleo de Investigación en Producción Alimentaria, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas y Químicas, Facultad de Recursos Naturales, Universidad Católica de Temuco, Ave. Rudecindo Ortega, 02950, Temuco, Chile.
  • 4 Center of Biotechnology on Reproduction (BIOREN-CEBIOR), Faculty of Medicine, University of La Frontera, Temuco, Chile.
  • 5 Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Science, Universidad de La Frontera, Ave. Francisco Salazar, 01145, Temuco, Chile. jorge.farias@ufrontera.cl.
PMID: 32506186 DOI: 10.1007/s10695-020-00829-1
Abstract

CA2+ is a key element in the sperm activation process of Salmo salar. However, the molecular mechanisms by which this ion enters the sperm cell have been poorly studied. In this study, we examined, for the first time, the role of the voltage-gated T-type CA2+ channel in the activation of sperm motility of Salmo salar. Using an in vitro inhibition assay, a significant decrease in total and progressive motility (P < 0.0001) was observed in Salmo salar sperm when they were treated with NNC-55-0396, a highly selective blocker. The in silico analysis showed that this blocker is docked with a strong affinity for the pore of the voltage-gated T-type calcium channel suggesting the blocking of CA2+ ions. The results show that the T-type voltage-gated CA2+ channel is key to sperm motility in Salmo salar.

Keywords

In silico; Motility; NNC 55-0396; Salmo salar; Voltage-gated Ca2+ channels T-type.

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