Global profiling of the proteomic changes associated with the post-testicular maturation of mouse spermatozoa

David A Skerrett-Byrne; Amanda L Anderson; Elizabeth G Bromfield; Ilana R Bernstein; Jess E Mulhall; John E Schjenken; Matthew D Dun; Sean J Humphrey; Brett Nixon

doi:10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111655

Global profiling of the proteomic changes associated with the post-testicular maturation of mouse spermatozoa

Cell Rep. 2022 Nov 15;41(7):111655. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111655.

Authors

David A Skerrett-Byrne¹, Amanda L Anderson², Elizabeth G Bromfield³, Ilana R Bernstein², Jess E Mulhall², John E Schjenken², Matthew D Dun⁴, Sean J Humphrey⁵, Brett Nixon⁶

Affiliations

¹ Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, Infertility and Reproduction Research Program, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia. Electronic address: david.skerrett-byrne@newcastle.edu.au.
² Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, Infertility and Reproduction Research Program, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia.
³ Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, Infertility and Reproduction Research Program, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia; Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
⁴ Cancer Signalling Research Group, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, Hunter Medical Research Institute, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.
⁵ School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; The Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, John Hopkins Drive, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia.
⁶ Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, Infertility and Reproduction Research Program, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia. Electronic address: brett.nixon@newcastle.edu.au.

PMID: 36384108
DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111655

Abstract

Spermatozoa acquire fertilization potential during passage through a highly specialized region of the extratesticular ductal system known as the epididymis. In the absence of de novo gene transcription or protein translation, this functional transformation is extrinsically driven via the exchange of varied macromolecular cargo between spermatozoa and the surrounding luminal plasma. Key among these changes is a substantive remodeling of the sperm proteomic architecture, the scale of which has yet to be fully resolved. Here, we have exploited quantitative mass spectrometry-based proteomics to define the extent of changes associated with the maturation of mouse spermatozoa; reporting the identity of >6,000 proteins, encompassing the selective loss and gain of several hundred proteins. Further, we demonstrate epididymal-driven activation of RHOA-mediated signaling pathways is an important component of sperm maturation. These data contribute molecular insights into the complexity of proteomic changes associated with epididymal sperm maturation.

Keywords: CP: Cell biology; CP: Molecular biology; RHOA; acrosome reaction; epididymis; male fertility; mass spectrometry; proteomics; sperm maturation; sperm proteome; spermatozoa.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Animals
Epididymis / metabolism
Male
Mice
Proteomics*
Semen*
Sperm Maturation / physiology
Spermatozoa / metabolism