1. Structural Biology and Molecular Biophysics
  2. Cell Biology

The Ca2+-activated K+ current of human sperm is mediated by Slo3

  1. Christoph Brenker
  2. Yu Zhou
  3. Astrid Müller
  4. Fabio Andres Echeverry
  5. Christian Trötschel
  6. Ansgar Poetsch
  7. Xiao-Ming Xia
  8. Wolfgang Bönigk
  9. Christopher J Lingle  Is a corresponding author
  10. U Benjamin Kaupp
  11. Timo Strünker  Is a corresponding author
  1. Center of Advanced European Studies and Research, Germany
  2. Washington University School of Medicine, United States
  3. Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Germany
https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.01438
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Cite this article
  1. Christoph Brenker
  2. Yu Zhou
  3. Astrid Müller
  4. Fabio Andres Echeverry
  5. Christian Trötschel
  6. Ansgar Poetsch
  7. Xiao-Ming Xia
  8. Wolfgang Bönigk
  9. Christopher J Lingle
  10. U Benjamin Kaupp
  11. Timo Strünker
(2014)
The Ca2+-activated K+ current of human sperm is mediated by Slo3
eLife 3:e01438.
https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.01438
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Abstract

Sperm are equipped with a unique set of ion channels that orchestrate fertilization. In mouse sperm, the principal K+ current (IKSper) is carried by the Slo3 channel, which sets the membrane potential (Vm) in a strongly pHi-dependent manner. Here, we show that IKSper in human sperm is activated weakly by pHi and more strongly by Ca2+. Correspondingly, Vm is strongly regulated by Ca2+ and less so by pHi. We find that inhibitors of Slo3 suppress human IKSper, and we identify the Slo3 protein in the flagellum of human sperm. Moreover, heterologously expressed human Slo3, but not mouse Slo3, is activated by Ca2+ rather than by alkaline pHi; current–voltage relations of human Slo3 and human IKSper are similar. We conclude that Slo3 represents the principal K+ channel in human sperm that carries the Ca2+-activated IKSper current. We propose that, in human sperm, the progesterone-evoked Ca2+ influx carried by voltage-gated CatSper channels is limited by Ca2+-controlled hyperpolarization via Slo3.

https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.01438.001

eLife digest

A sperm that has been ejaculated into the female reproductive tract must complete a number of tasks to pass on its genes to the next generation. First it must travel along a meandering route to encounter an egg, before pushing through a jelly-like coating that surrounds the egg and then, finally, fusing with the egg’s surface membrane. In order to complete these steps and fertilise the egg, a sperm must undergo a process called ‘capacitation’. This process, and a variety of other sperm functions, involves the controlled flux of positive ions into and out of the sperm via specific ion channels that are located in the cell membrane.

The properties of the ion channels that allow protons and calcium ions to move into and out of human sperm are well understood, but less is known about the channels that control the movement of potassium ions. In mice, a channel called Slo3 allows potassium ions to flow out of the sperm and makes the membrane voltage of these cells more negative. Also, in mice, this channel is essential for the sperm to function correctly, and for fertilization. However, in humans, it is unclear if the Slo3 channel is present in sperm and if it performs the same role.

Now, Brenker et al. have shown that the flow of potassium ions out of human sperm occurs via the Slo3 channel, and that human Slo3 is responsible for setting the membrane voltage of these cells. However, whereas the mouse Slo3 channel is opened in response to a decrease in the concentration of protons within the sperm (i.e., an increase of the pH inside the cell), human Slo3 is largely controlled by changes in the levels of calcium ions. An increase in the calcium concentration within the cell opens the human Slo3 channel, more than a decrease in the proton concentration does.

Altogether, Brenker et al. identify Slo3 as the principal potassium channel in human sperm and reveal more fundamental differences between human sperm and mouse sperm. Thereby, this work further stresses the need to be cautious about using mice as a model of male fertility in humans.

https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.01438.002

Introduction

Mammalian sperm fulfil several demanding functions during fertilization: sperm track down the oocyte presumably by chemotaxis, rheotaxis, or thermotaxis (Bahat et al., 2003; Eisenbach and Giojalas, 2006; Kaupp et al., 2008; Miki and Clapham, 2013). Moreover, sperm break through the oocyte’s vestments by hyperactivation and acrosomal exocytosis (Florman et al., 2008; Ho and Suarez, 2001). Sperm acquire these skills inside the female genital tract during a maturation process called capacitation (Fraser, 2010). Navigation, capacitation, hyperactivation, and acrosomal exocytosis are controlled by changes in intracellular pH (pHi), membrane voltage (Vm), and intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) (Ho and Suarez, 2001; Eisenbach and Giojalas, 2006; Florman et al., 2008; Kaupp et al., 2008; Publicover et al., 2008). These cellular responses are orchestrated by a set of unique ion channels (Darszon et al., 2011; Lishko et al., 2012; Santi et al., 2013).

A picture has emerged that the inventory and control of ion channels in mouse and human sperm are surprisingly different. For example, human but not mouse sperm harbor functional proton Hv1 channels (Lishko et al., 2010); purinergic P2X channels are functional in mouse (Navarro et al., 2011), but not in human sperm (Brenker et al., 2012); the sperm-specific CatSper (cation channel of sperm) Ca2+ channel is activated by progesterone in humans (Lishko et al., 2011; Strünker et al., 2011), but not in mouse (Lishko et al., 2011). These different channel inventories and different mechanisms of channel activation might reflect adaptations to species-specific challenges encountered by sperm in the female genital tract.

In mouse sperm, an alkaline-activated K+ current, called IKSper, is a critical determinant of Vm and, thereby, controls other Vm-dependent channels (Navarro et al., 2007). Mouse IKSper is carried by the sperm-specific Slo3 channel. Deletion of the Slo3 gene abolishes IKSper (Santi et al., 2010; Zeng et al., 2011, 2013); male Slo3−/− mice are infertile due to defects in sperm motility (Santi et al., 2010; Zeng et al., 2011), osmoregulation (Santi et al., 2010; Zeng et al., 2011), and acrosomal exocytosis (Santi et al., 2010).

In humans, it is unknown whether Slo3 is functionally expressed in sperm and serves a similar key role for fertilization. Here, we examine the properties of human sperm K+ current by patch-clamp recording and also define properties of currents arising from heterologous expression of hSlo3 and its auxiliary subunit hLRRC52 (Yang et al., 2011). We find that human IKSper and heterologously expressed human Slo3 currents share similar biophysical properties, pharmacology, and ligand dependence. Furthermore, we identify Slo3 and LRRC52 proteins in human sperm. Remarkably, whereas mouse Slo3 is exclusively controlled by pHi (Schreiber et al., 1998; Zhang et al., 2006a; Yang et al., 2011; Zeng et al., 2011), activation of human Slo3 is regulated by [Ca2+]i and also, more weakly, by cytosolic alkalization. These results show that, between mouse and human sperm, signalling pathways controlling the principal K+ channel and, thereby, Vm are also distinctively different.

Results

Identification of IKsper in human sperm

We recorded currents from human sperm by the patch-clamp technique (Lishko et al., 2013). Depolarizing voltage steps from a holding potential of −80 mV evoked outwardly rectifying voltage-gated currents (Figure 1A,B). At pHi 7.3, current amplitudes at −100 mV and 100 mV were −7.5 ± 5 pA and 80 ± 15 pA, respectively (n = 5) (mean ± SD; n = number of experiments) (Figure 1F). Several controls established that the currents are carried by K+ channels and not by Cl− channels or CatSper (Zeng et al., 2013): lowering the extracellular K+ concentration ([K+]o) from 150 to 5 mM shifted the reversal potential (Vrev) from 9.2 ± 1.5 mV to −16.5 ± 10 mV (n = 5) (Figure 1B,C). At low [K+]o, a decrease of extracellular [Cl−]o did not change Vrev any further (Figure 1C, Figure 1—figure supplement 1A,B), showing that currents are not carried by Cl− channels. Replacing intracellular K+ by Cs+ almost completely abolished outward currents at Vm ≤ 100 mV (Figure 1F, Figure 1—figure supplement 1C,D). However, at Vm ≥ 100 mV, residual Cs+ outward currents persisted. In mouse Slo3−/− sperm, monovalent outward currents persisting at very positive Vm are carried by CatSper (Zeng et al., 2013). Monovalent mouse and human CatSper current is suppressed by extracellular Ca2+ (Kirichok et al., 2006; Lishko et al., 2011; Lishko et al., 2012; Zeng et al., 2013). Consistent with CatSper channels conducting the residual Cs+ current in human sperm, current amplitudes at 120 mV were progressively suppressed by increasing extracellular Ca2+ (Figure 1—figure supplement 1E,F).

Figure 1 with 1 supplement see all
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Voltage- and alkaline-activated K+ currents in human sperm.

(A) Whole-cell currents before and after application of 10 mM NH4Cl. Traces at 35 mV and 85 mV are depicted in blue and red, respectively. (B) Current-voltage relation of recordings from (A) and currents recorded in 5 mM [K+]o. (C) Mean Vrev of currents at pHi 7.3 in different extracellular solutions (n = 3–5). (D) Currents recorded at pHi 6.2. (E) Current-voltage relation of recordings from (D). (F) Mean currents before and after application of NH4Cl (10 mM) and with Cs+-based intracellular solution (180 mM Cs+) (n = 3–6).

https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.01438.003

We conclude that monovalent cation currents at Vm ≤ 100 mV are carried by K+-selective channels; we refer to this current as human IKSper, analogous to the principal K+ current in mouse sperm. At more positive Vm, currents are also carried by CatSper channels.

The principal K+ channel in human sperm is controlled by Ca2+ rather than pHi

Mouse IKSper is strongly pH dependent (Navarro et al., 2007; Santi et al., 2010; Zeng et al., 2011; Zhang et al., 2006a). We, therefore, examined the pH sensitivity of IKSper and Vm in human sperm. Decreasing pipette pH from 7.3 to 6.2 reduced outward currents by 2.2 ± 1.0-fold (n = 4) (Figure 1A,D,F). Moreover, intracellular alkalization by NH4Cl enhanced outward currents by 1.8 ± 0.9-fold (at 100 mV, n = 4) at pipette pH 6.2 (Figure 1D–F), but not at pipette pH 7.3 (Figure 1A,B,F). Thus, human IKSper is less sensitive to pHi than mouse IKSper, which is enhanced about fourfold by increasing pHi from 6.5 to 7.5 (Navarro et al., 2007). In mouse sperm, IKSper sets Vm in a strongly pHi-dependent manner (Navarro et al., 2007; Santi et al., 2010; Zeng et al., 2011). Therefore, we tested under current-clamp whether, in human sperm, the control of Vm by IKSper is dependent on pHi. At pipette pH 6.2, Vm was −23 ± 5 mV (n = 4) (Figure 2A,C left); raising pipette pH to 7.3 or alkalization by NH4Cl hyperpolarized sperm only slightly to −30 ± 5 mV and −31 ± 4 mV, respectively (n = 4) (Figure 2A,B,C left). At pipette pH 7.3, alkalization by NH4Cl did not further change Vm (Figure 2B,C left). Of note, at pHi 6.2 and 7.3, Vm was independent of [Cl−]o and dropped to about 0 mV at high [K+]o (Figure 2A,B,C left). In conclusion, under the recording conditions used here, Vm of human sperm is only modestly pHi sensitive.

Figure 2
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Vm of human sperm is controlled by [Ca2+]i rather than pHi.

(A) Current-clamp recording from human sperm (pHi 6.2) in extracellular solutions containing different [K+] and [Cl−] (in mM). Intracellular alkalization was evoked by superfusion with 10 mM NH4Cl. (B) Current-clamp recording at pHi 7.3. (C) Left panel: mean Vm under conditions as described in panel A and B; right panel: mean Vm at indicated [Ca2+]i, and at 1 mM [Ca2+]i under conditions described in panel D (n = 3–4). (D) Current-clamp recording at pHi 7.3 and 1 mM [Ca2+]i.

https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.01438.005

Given the modest effect of alkalization on human K+ current, we tested whether Ca2+ controls IKSper in human sperm. To compare current–voltage (I–V) relations at low and high [Ca2+]i in the same cell, we studied voltage activation of IKSper before and after rapid photorelease of Ca2+ from caged Ca2+ (DMNP-EDTA) (Figure 3A,B), while monitoring [Ca2+]i with the Ca2+ indicator Fluo-4. Prior to Ca2+ release, currents were similar to those recorded without Ca2+ in the pipette solution (Figure 3A,B). Photorelease of Ca2+ altered IKSper in several ways: currents activated more rapidly; at Vm ≤ 70 mV, amplitudes were enhanced and at Vm ≥ 70 mV, amplitudes saturated or even declined; thereby, the outward rectification was diminished; finally, Vrev was shifted to more negative potentials (Figure 3A,B).

Figure 3 with 1 supplement see all
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Ca2+ enhances K+ currents in human sperm.

(A) Whole-cell currents recorded at pHi 7.3 with 5 mM DMNP-EDTA, 4 mM Ca2+, and 10 µM Fluo-4 in 5 mM extracellular K+ solution before (control) and after photorelease of Ca2+; for simplification, only currents evoked by −105, −55, −5 (grey), 45, and 95 mV are depicted. (B) Current-voltage relation of recordings from A. (C) Whole-cell-currents at pHi 7.3 at 0 (left), 40 µM (middle) and 1 mM [Ca2+]i (right) in extracellular solutions containing 5 mM K+; for simplification, only currents evoked by −105, −55, −5 (grey), 45, and 95 mV are depicted. (D) Current-voltage relations of currents recorded at 2.5–1000 µM [Ca2+]i; I–V curves were normalized to the amplitude at 115 mV. (E) Current-voltage relation of currents recorded at pHi 7.3 and 1 mM [Ca2+]i; extracellular solutions contained 150 mM K+ or 5 mM K+. (F) Mean Vrev of currents at pHi 7.3, 1 mM [Ca2+]i, and different [K+]o and [Cl−]o (in mM) (n = 3–4). (G) Whole-cell currents recorded at pHi 6.2, 1 mM [Ca2+]i, and 5 mM [K+]o, before and after superfusion with 10 mM NH4Cl. (H) Current-voltage relation of recordings from (G).

https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.01438.006

The Ca2+ dependence of IKSper was quantified by recording the I-V relation at 2.5-1000 µM Ca2+ in the pipette (Figure 3C,D). In the absence of Ca2+, the mean current amplitude (Vm = 3.5 mV) was 3.5 ± 3 pA; increasing Ca2+ to 40 µM and 1 mM Ca2+ increased the amplitude to 14 ± 6 pA and 32 ± 17 pA, respectively (n = 3) (Figure 3C). For [Ca2+]i > 10 µM, current amplitudes were increased in a concentration-dependent manner, and the normalized I–V relation and Vrev were shifted to more negative potentials (Figure 3D, Figure 3—figure supplement 1C). At Vm ≿ 100 mV, Ca2+-activated currents levelled off or even declined. Control experiments showed that Ca2+ activated IKSper, and not Ca2+-activated Cl− channels that were identified in human sperm (Orta et al., 2012): with 1 mM [Ca2+] in the pipette, a decrease of [K+]o from 150 to 5 mM shifted Vrev from −5.1 ± 10.3 mV to −52.9 ± 7.8 mV (n = 3) (Figure 3E,F); decreasing [Cl−]o did not alter Vrev (Figure 3F, Figure 3—figure supplement 1A,B).

Moreover, Ca2+-activated IKSper was enhanced to some extent by alkalization. At pHi 6.2, NH4Cl increased the mean current amplitude from 52 ± 14 pA to 89 ± 8 pA (50 mV) and shifted Vrev from −33 ± 7 mV to −54 ± 14 mV (n = 3) (Figure 3G,H). Thus, the enhancement of IKSper upon alkalization was similar in the presence and absence of intracellular Ca2+.

In current-clamp mode, Vm was −30 ± 5 mV and −35 ± 7 mV at 0 and 1 µM [Ca2+] in the pipette, respectively; 30 µM and ≥ 70 µM [Ca2+]i changed Vm to −43 ± 4 mV and about −60 mV, respectively (n = 3-4) (Figure 2C, right). At high [Ca2+]i, Vm was independent of [Cl−]o, but dropped to about 0 mV at high [K+]o (Figure 2C right, D). In conclusion, under the conditions used here, Vm is set by IKsper that is controlled strongly by Ca2+ and only modestly by pHi.

Ca2+-activated K+ currents exhibit hallmarks of Slo3 channels

The pH sensitivity of IKSper, although modest, is reminiscent of the IKSper current in mouse sperm carried by Slo3 channels, whereas the Ca2+ sensitivity is reminiscent of the prototypical Ca2+-activated K+ channel Slo1 (Salkoff et al., 2006). To identify the ion channel underlying human IKSper, we tested several inhibitors of Slo3 and Slo1 channels at high [Ca2+] in the pipette, that is when Ca2+-activated K+ channels are strongly activated. The non-selective K+ channel inhibitors quinidine and clofilium, previously shown to inhibit mouse IKSper (Navarro et al., 2007; Zeng et al., 2011) and heterologous Slo3 (Tang et al., 2010), abolished currents (Figure 4A,B,E). The inhibition by clofilium was irreversible (Figure 4B), which is a hallmark of its action on IKSper in mouse sperm (Navarro et al., 2007; Zeng et al., 2011). Moreover, perfusion of sperm with quinidine and clofilium depolarized the cell (Figure 4F). In contrast, tetraethylammonium (TEA) and iberiotoxin (IBTX), which block Slo1 but not Slo3 (Tang et al., 2010), neither affected IKSper nor Vm of human sperm (Figure 4C–F). Although the Slo3 inhibitors employed are not selective for Slo3, the action of these drugs together with the ineffective Slo1 inhibitors provides critical evidence that IKSper is carried by Slo3, but not by Slo1.

Figure 4
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Ca2+-activated K+ currents in human sperm exhibit hallmarks of Slo3 channels.

(A–D, G) Current-voltage relation of whole-cell currents from human sperm recorded in K+-based intracellular solution at pHi 7.3 and 1 mM [Ca2+]i in 5 mM extracellular K+ before, during, and after application of inhibitors. (E) Mean outward currents at 65 mV in the presence of 500 µM quinidine, 10 mM TEA, 50 µM clofilium, or 100 nM IBTX. (F) Current-clamp recording from human sperm in intracellular solution (pHi 7.3) containing 180 mM K+ and 1 mM Ca2+. Sperm were bathed in extracellular solution containing 5 mM K+ and 150 mM Cl−. Concentrations of drugs were as in (A–E, G). (H) Current trace recorded at pHi 7.3 and 70 µM [Ca2+]i at −60 mV in HS (top) and K-based HS (bottom) Filter: 2 kHz. (I) Segments indicated by the red bars in panel (H) shown on an extended time scale (5 kHz), revealing opening events of one (top) and two K+ channels (bottom). Red lines correspond to conductance levels of 0 (c), 65 (o), and 130 pS (o). (J) Histogram of current amplitudes recorded in 5 mM K+ and 150 mM K+, at the conditions described in (H).

https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.01438.008

Surprisingly, MDL12330A, an inhibitor of CatSper (Brenker et al., 2012), also blocked Ca2+-activated IKSper and depolarized the cell under conditions (extra- and intracellular 1 mM Ca2+) where CatSper currents are negligibly small (Figure 4F,G).

As a further signature of the K+ channels, we compared single-channel currents of heterologous hSlo3 with those recorded in human sperm. At −60 mV and high intracellular [Ca2+]i, K+ channels openings displayed a single-channel conductance of 60–70 pS (Figure 4H–J), that is similar to that of hSlo3 (70 pS; Figure 6—figure supplement 1; Zhang et al., 2006b), but not to that of Slo1 (280 pS) (Dworetzky et al., 1994). These results demonstrate that the channel underlying IKSper displays pharmacological and functional properties consistent with hSlo3.

Human sperm express Slo3 and LRRC52

Next, we tested for the presence of Slo1 and Slo3 proteins in human sperm. Using targeted protein mass-spectrometry (MS) (Figure 5A, Supplementary file 1), we identified in purified human sperm 5 and 3 proteotypic peptides corresponding to Slo3 and its auxiliary subunit LRRC52, respectively. As positive controls, we identified the following proteins known to be expressed in human sperm: CatSper, the Ca2+-ATPase PMCA4, the proton channel Hv1, Na+/K+-ATPase α4, and IZUMO. However, we did not detect Slo1. Similar results were obtained by shot-gun proteomics (Wang et al., 2013), which identifies Slo3 and other known components of human sperm, but not Slo1.

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Human sperm express Slo3 and its auxiliary subunit LRRC52.

(A) Predicted membrane topology of hSlo3 (yellow) and hLRRC52 (red) polypeptides. Proteotypic peptides identified in human sperm by targeted protein mass-spectrometry are indicated in grey. (B) Western blot of total proteins of human sperm, CHO cells (wt), and CHO cells transfected with HA-tagged hSlo3 (hSlo3). The Western blot was probed with an anti-hSlo3 and anti-HA antibody. The molecular masses (kDa) of the protein standard are indicated on the right. (C) Human sperm stained with an antibody directed against hSlo3 (red). The DNA in the head was stained with DAPI (blue). Scale bar: 30 µM.

https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.01438.009

Moreover, we expressed hSlo3 heterologously with a hemagglutinin(HA)-tag in chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells (Figure 5—figure supplement 1). In Western blots of hSlo3-transfected, but not of wild type cells, both anti-HA and anti-hSlo3 antibodies labelled polypeptides with an apparent molecular weight (Mw) of about 120 kDa (Figure 5B). The predicted Mw of Slo3 is 130 kDa. In Western blots of human sperm, the anti-Slo3 antibody labelled polypeptides of ∼125 kDa and ∼80 kDa (Figure 5B); in both polypeptide bands, we confirmed by MS that the bands recognized by the antibody contained hSlo3. The 80 kDa polypeptide might be a product of the cleaved Slo3 channel. Post-translational cleavage has been reported also for other ion channels in ciliary structures (Molday et al., 1991; Bönigk et al., 2009). Finally, the anti-hSlo3 antibody stained the flagellum (Figure 5C), consistent with the localization of IKSper in mouse sperm (Navarro et al., 2007). Together, MS, Western blot-analysis, and immunocytochemistry show that human sperm express Slo3.

Heterologous human Slo3 is activated by Ca2+

Considering that mouse Slo3 is insensitive to Ca2+ (Schreiber et al., 1998), the Ca2+ activation of human IKSper is remarkable. Therefore, we studied human Slo3 co-expressed with hLRRC52 in Xenopus oocytes. First, we investigated the pHi sensitivity of hSlo3 in inside-out patches with step depolarizations between −60 and 260 mV from a holding potential of −140 mV. In the absence of Ca2+, currents were only modestly activated at pHi 7 (Figure 6A, upper left), but enhanced at pHi 8 (Figure 6A, upper right). Similar to previous observations (Leonetti et al., 2012), an increase of pHi from 7 to either pHi 8 or 9 increased currents by 1.9 ± 0.4-fold and 2.2 ± 0.5-fold, respectively (200 mV; n = 4).

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Activation of heterologous hSlo3 by intracellular Ca2+.

(A) Families of hSlo3 + hLRRC52 currents in oocytes at pH 7 and 8 with indicated [Ca2+]i. Current trace at +200 mV is depicted in red. (B and C) Current-voltage relations of tail currents determined at −140 mV; amplitudes were normalized to the amplitude evoked by step to 200 mV, 0 [Ca2+]i, and pH 8. (D) Tail current amplitudes (activated by 200 mV) as function of [Ca2+]i for pH 7 and pH 8. Normalization as in (B). (E) Current-voltage relation of steady-state hSlo3 + hLRRC52 currents in CHO cells at pHi 7.3 and 0, 70 µM, and 1 mM [Ca2+]i. Currents were normalized to the amplitude evoked at 115 mV. (F) Current-voltage relation of hSlo3 + hLRRC52 currents in CHO cells and IKSper recorded from human sperm at 0 and 1 mM [Ca2+]i (pHi 7.2). Normalization as in panel (D).

https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.01438.011

At pHi 7 and pHi 8, 60 μM Ca2+ enhanced both outward currents and inward tail currents (Figure 6A, middle traces). At 300 μM Ca2+, inward tail currents were further enhanced but outward currents were reduced at potentials ≥ 200 mV (Figure 6A, bottom traces), indicating a block of outward currents by Ca2+. Conductance-voltage (G-V) curves generated from tail currents illustrate the activation of hSlo3 at pHi 7 and pHi 8 in the presence of 0, 60, and 300 μM Ca2+ (Figure 6B,C). At pHi 7, raising Ca2+ from 0 to 300 μM enhanced hSlo3 conductance by 6.6 ± 1.7-fold (200 mV), in contrast to the only 2.2-fold increase evoked by raising pHi from 7 to 9. Thus, Ca2+ activates hSlo3 much more effectively than alkaline pHi.

Surprisingly, the amplitudes of Ca2+-activated tail currents, whether at 60 or 300 µM Ca2+, were similar at pHi 7 and pHi 8 (compare Figures 6B and 6C), suggesting that, at elevated [Ca2+]i, Slo3 is rather insensitive to changes in pHi> 7. At pHi 8, we also examined the action of a broader range of [Ca2+]i. For [Ca2+]i ≥ 10 µM, hSlo3 tail currents increased over at least three orders of magnitude of [Ca2+] (Figure 6D). Finally, Slo3 single-channel openings in patches held at −60 mV (pHi 8) were also markedly increased by 60 µM and 300 μM Ca2+ (Figure 6—figure supplement 1), indicating that Ca2+ enhances Slo3 activation also at physiological Vm.

Although the ranges of pHi and Ca2+ concentrations that affect IKSper and hSlo3 expressed in oocytes are similar, compared to IKSper, the I–V relation of hSlo3 currents appears shifted to more positive potentials (compare Figure 1B,E and 3B with Figure 6B,C). This difference might be due to the non-mammalian expression system, the excised-patch conditions, differences in ionic composition of solutions, or a combination of all of them. Therefore, we recorded whole-cell currents evoked by voltage steps in CHO cells that co-expressed hSlo3 and hLRRC52, using conditions similar to those used for sperm recordings. hSlo3 currents in CHO cells were also modestly enhanced by alkalization (Figure 6—figure supplement 2), and Ca2+ shifted the I-V relation to more negative Vm (Figure 6E, Figure 6—figure supplement 2). In the absence and presence of Ca2+, the I–V relations of hSlo3 and IKSper were similar (Figure 6F).

Taken together, the heterologous expression demonstrates that human Slo3 is a Ca2+-activated rather than a strictly alkaline-activated K+ channel. These results strengthen our conclusion that Slo3 underlies the voltage-, Ca2+-, and alkaline-activated IKsper current in human sperm.

Mouse Slo3 is not activated by intracellular Ca2+

Although mouse Slo3 is insensitive to intracellular Ca2+ (Schreiber et al., 1998), we wondered whether the auxiliary subunit LRRC52 (Yang et al., 2011) might confer Ca2+ sensitivity on Slo3 channels. Therefore, we co-expressed mSlo3 with mLRRC52. Raising pHi from 7 to 8 strongly enhanced mSlo3 steady-state (Figure 7A) and tail (Figure 7B) currents, similar to previous results (Schreiber et al., 1998; Zhang et al., 2006a; Yang et al., 2011). At pHi 8, Ca2+ (60 or 300 µM) did not enhance currents (Figure 7A,B). Instead, outward mSlo3 currents were strongly suppressed by Ca2+ (Figure 7A) and even tail-current amplitudes were reduced (Figure 7B). A G-V plot derived from tail currents confirms that Ca2+ does not activate mSlo3, but inhibits mSlo3 following activation by positive potentials (Figure 7C). Currents carried by mSlo3 co-expressed with hLRRC52 were also not activated, but suppressed by Ca2+ (Figure 7—figure supplement 1). These results exclude the possibility that hLRRC52 confers Ca2+ sensitivity on hSlo3. Suppression of mSlo3 tail currents by Ca2+ (Figure 7C,D) reflects persistent occupancy of the mSlo3 pore by Ca2+ following repolarization. We note that the voltage-dependent suppression of currents by Ca2+ is much more pronounced for mSlo3 compared to hSlo3. Ca2+ occludes the pore of mSlo3 with about 10-fold higher affinity than that of hSlo3 (Figure 7—figure supplement 2); therefore, inhibition of hSlo3 by Ca2+ occurs only at very positive, non-physiological Vm.

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Co-expression of mLRRC52 does not confer Ca2+ sensitivity on mSlo3.

(A) Currents were activated with 0 [Ca2+]i pH 7, 0 [Ca2+]i pH 8, 60 µM [Ca2+]i pH 8, and 300 µM [Ca2+]i pH 8. Red trace corresponds to step to 60 mV. (B) Larger gain display of tail currents from (A). (C) Normalized current–voltage relations of tail currents determined at −140 mV; currents were normalized to tail current amplitude following the step to 200 mV. (D) Normalized tail-current amplitude as a function of [Ca2+]i. Tail currents were normalized to 0 [Ca2+]i at pH 8.

https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.01438.014

Together, our results show that regulation of mSlo3 and hSlo3 channels by cytosolic ligands is distinctively different, paralleling the differential regulation of IKsper in mouse and human sperm by pHi and Ca2+.

Progesterone stimulates Ca2+ levels sufficient to activate Slo3

In human sperm, the female sex hormone progesterone directly activates CatSper (Lishko et al., 2011; Strünker et al., 2011; Brenker et al., 2012; Smith et al., 2013). Progesterone-evoked Ca2+ influx via CatSper has been implicated in sperm chemotaxis, hyperactivation, and acrosomal exocytosis (Blackmore et al., 1990; Publicover et al., 2007; Publicover et al., 2008). We examined whether stimulation of human sperm by progesterone enhances Ca2+ levels sufficient to activate Slo3 channels. Sperm were loaded with Ca2+ indicators of different Ca2+ affinity as surrogates for high- to low-affinity Ca2+-binding sites (Figure 8A,C). The progesterone-evoked transient Ca2+ response was faithfully tracked by high- (KD = 0.35 µM), moderate- (KD = 9.7 µM), and low-affinity Ca2+ indicators (KD = 90 µM) (Figure 8A). The Ca2+ ionophore ionomycin evoked a sustained fluorescence increase reflecting the indicator response to near saturating, millimolar [Ca2+]i (Figure 8A). For indicators with a KD value ≤ 2.3 µM, the amplitudes of progesterone- and ionomycin-induced Ca2+ signals were similar (Figure 8A,B), suggesting that these high-affinity indicators become saturated with Ca2+ during the progesterone-evoked response. For indicators with KD values ≥ 9.7 µM, the amplitude ratio of progesterone-evoked/ionomycin-evoked Ca2+ signals decreased with increasing KD values. However, even for the low-affinity indicator Fluo-5N, which reports [Ca2+]i changes in a concentration range of about 9–900 µM, the amplitude ratio was as large as 0.25. Thus, considering the dynamic range of indicators (Figure 8C), our results indicate that Ca2+ levels reached during a physiological Ca2+ response are sufficient to activate Slo3.

Figure 8
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Progesterone-evoked Ca2+ responses in human sperm.

(A) Ca2+ signal evoked by progesterone (2 µM) and ionomycin (2 µM) in sperm loaded with different Ca2+ indicators. (B) Relative amplitude of the progesterone- vs ionomycin-induced Ca2+ signal in sperm loaded with indicators of various Ca2+ sensitivity. (C) Dynamic range of Ca2+ sensitivity for different indicators assuming 1:1 binding of Ca2+.

https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.01438.017

Discussion

Here, we show that the biophysical and pharmacological properties of human IKSper conform with the properties of hSlo3, but not with those of hSlo1 or other members of the Slo family. First, hSlo3 and IKSper are modestly sensitive to pHi ≤ 7.0 and are more strongly activated by Ca2+. Second, the I–V relations of hSlo3 and IKSper are similar, in the absence and presence of intracellular Ca2+. Third, several Slo3, but not Slo1 inhibitors block IKSper. Fourth, we identify the Slo3 protein and its auxiliary subunit LRRC52 in human sperm. Finally, both human IKSper (Mannowetz et al., 2013) and heterologously expressed hSlo3 (Figure 9A,C) are inhibited by progesterone; progesterone inhibits human IKSper and hSlo3 with constants of half-maximal inhibition (Ki) of 7.5 µM (Mannowetz et al., 2013) and 17.5 ± 2 µM (n = 3), respectively.

Figure 9 with 1 supplement see all
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Progesterone inhibits hSlo3 but not hSlo1.

(A) Whole-cell hSlo3 + hLRRC52 currents recorded in CHO cells at pHi 7.3 before and after perfusion with 30 µM progesterone. (B) hSlo1 currents recorded in outside-out patches excised from CHO cells at pHi 7.3 and 70 µM [Ca2+]i before and after perfusion with 30 µM progesterone. (C) Relative amplitude of hSlo1 and hSlo3 + hLRRC52 currents at 80 mV in CHO cells in the presence of progesterone.

https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.01438.018

While this manuscript was under review, Mannowetz et al. (2013) reported that the prototypical Ca2+-activated member of the Slo channel family, Slo1, is the principal K+ channel in human sperm. Several observations strongly argue against this conclusion. First, Slo1 is inhibited rather than activated at alkaline pH (Avdonin et al., 2003). Second, specific inhibitors of Slo1 did not inhibit IKSper. Third, human Slo1 is largely insensitive to progesterone (Figure 9B,C). Fourth, we and others (Wang et al., 2013) are unable to identify the Slo1 protein in human sperm. Fifth, if Slo1 carried the current of about 125–150 pA in human sperm (recorded at 100 mV in symmetrical K+ and saturating Ca2+) (Figure 3A,C), this would correspond to the opening of about 5–6 BK channels. Under such conditions, discrete opening and closing transitions of single BK channels would be readily visible; not only at 100 mV, but even more so at voltages < 100 mV. Thus, recordings of IKSper current in human sperm are consistent with lower conductance openings characteristic of Slo3, but not Slo1. Finally, the most obvious discrepancy between the two reports concerns the pharmacology. Mannowetz et al. show that K+ currents in human sperm are abolished by the Slo1 inhibitors IBTX, charybdotoxin (CTX), and paxilline. Although we do not know the reason for this discrepancy, there are differences in experimental conditions. We tested the inhibitors at 1 mM extracellular [Ca2+] to prevent monovalent CatSper currents and at 1 mM intracellular [Ca2+] to strongly activate IKSper. Mannowetz et al. tested the drugs at 100 µM extracellular [Ca2+] and in the absence of intracellular Ca2+. Under these conditions, sizeable CatSper currents are recorded (Figure 1—figure supplement 1E,F), but activation of Slo1 would be minimal.

What might be the function of Slo3 in sperm? It has been suggested that the IKSper-mediated hyperpolarization reinforces Ca2+ influx via CatSper by increasing the electrical driving force (Clapham, 2013). Alternatively, we propose that the hyperpolarization serves as a negative feedback that decreases the open probability of CatSper and, thereby, curtails rather than enhances Ca2+ influx. Why did Slo3 switch in human sperm from a strictly pH-sensitive to a pH- and Ca2+-sensitive K+ channel? In mouse, Slo3 and CatSper are both voltage- and strongly alkaline-activated. In human but not in mouse sperm, CatSper is directly activated by progesterone and prostaglandins (Lishko et al., 2011; Strünker et al., 2011; Brenker et al., 2012; Smith et al., 2013). Thus, human CatSper mediates a ligand- rather than an alkaline-activated Ca2+ influx. Moreover, the pH sensitivity of both Slo3 and CatSper is considerably lower in human compared to mouse sperm, suggesting that Ca2+ activation of Slo3 may have evolved in concert with ligand activation of CatSper. This co-evolution might ensure that ligand-evoked Ca2+ influx via CatSper is coupled to the Ca2+-controlled hyperpolarization via Slo3. Thus, by curtailing Ca2+ influx via CatSper, IKsper may serve a similar role in both mouse and human sperm despite its differential regulation by intracellular ligands. The control of Vm by Ca2+ and pHi and the interplay of CatSper and Slo3 deserve further study in intact, freely moving human sperm with non-invasive and kinetic techniques, for example using voltage-sensitive dyes.

Our results suggest that during a progesterone response, global Ca2+ levels can reach concentrations > 10 µM, sufficient to activate Slo3. CatSper and Slo3 are both located in the principal piece. Moreover, progesterone-induced Ca2+ signals originate in the flagellum and propagate in a tail-to-head direction (Servin-Vences et al., 2012). Due to the miniscule flagellar volume (about 2.5 fl), opening a few CatSper channels, each conducting several thousand Ca2+ ions per second, would increase local flagellar [Ca2+] to levels that should readily exceed global [Ca2+]i. The potential interplay of Slo3 and CatSper in sperm is reminiscent of the interplay in neurons between Ca2+-activated K+ channels and voltage-gated Ca2+ channels (Cav) (Prakriya and Lingle, 2000). In neurons, Slo1 and Cav channels interact to form local microdomains of Ca2+ signalling near the plasma membrane (Berkefeld et al., 2006). In microdomains, [Ca2+] can rise to levels ≿ 100 µM that are readily sensed by Ca2+-activated K+ channels (Rizzuto and Pozzan, 2006). It needs to be shown whether Slo3 and CatSper are organized in similar microdomains.

Channels of the Slo family have been studied as models for allosteric regulation of gating by ligands (Magleby, 2003; Lingle, 2007). Slo channels and a large number of bacterial channels/transporters harbor a homologous octameric intracellular domain, dubbed the gating ring, that provides a template for ligand regulation of the pore domain (Lingle, 2007). The gating-ring motif has evolved for regulation of transmembrane ion flux by nucleotides, Ca2+, H+, Na+, Cl−, and probably other cytosolic ligands (Salkoff et al., 2006). Among different Slo isoforms, gating rings share structural similarities (Wu et al., 2010; Leonetti et al., 2012; Yuan et al., 2012). However, the conformational changes that couple binding to gating remain incompletely defined and the location of ligand-binding sites varies markedly (Salkoff et al., 2006). Our study adds an interesting twist, demonstrating that, even among Slo3 orthologues, the gating-ring motif has been exploited for regulation by different ligands — primarily Ca2+ in hSlo3 and primarily H+ in mSlo3. Alignment of human Slo1 sequence with human Slo3 and other mammalian Slo3 sequences illustrates that, although the membrane-associated S0-S6 domain retains considerable identity (Figure 9—figure supplement 1A), there is extensive lack of identity in many segments of the ligand-sensing cytosolic domain (Figure 9—figure supplement 1B). Given that positions of ligand-sensing determinants in regulator of K+ conductance (RCK)-containing proteins vary markedly within the RCK domain structures, it is not surprising that simple examination of the Slo3 sequence alignments does not reveal obvious determinants of either pH sensitivity in mSlo3 or Ca2+−sensitivity in hSlo3.

At first glance, the fact that Slo3 orthologues differ in their ligand-dependence seems highly unusual. Yet, it is well-established that proteins essential for fertilization are rapidly evolving; orthologues often display a low degree of sequence similarity (Swanson and Vacquier, 2002; Cai and Clapham, 2008). For a set of mammalian species (human, bovine, mouse, dog, and opossum), the amino-acid identities (excluding a non-specific linker in the cytosolic domain) among Slo1 orthologues is typically > 92.6% (mSlo1 vs hSlo1: 99.5%). Slo3 orthologues exhibit identities in the range of 57–75% (mSlo3 vs hSlo3: 70.4%). Considering that the amino-acid identity between the pH-regulated mSlo3 and Ca2+-regulated mSlo1 is 45.7%, the different ligand dependence between hSlo3 and mSlo3 is not so surprising.

Materials and methods

Materials and reagents

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IBTX was purchased from Tocris (Minneapolis, MN, USA). DMNP-EDTA and Ca2+ indicators were purchased from Invitrogen (Carlsbad, CA, USA). UPLC grade formic acid, acetonitrile and methanol were purchased from Biosolve (Valkenswaard, The Netherlands). All other reagents were obtained from Sigma-Aldrich (St. Louis, MO, USA).

Sperm preparation

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Samples of human semen were obtained from healthy volunteers with their prior consent. Sperm were prepared as described (Strünker et al., 2011). In brief, sperm were purified by a ‘swim-up’ procedure in human tubular fluid (HTF+) containing (in mM): 97.8 NaCl, 4.69 KCl, 0.2 MgSO4, 0.37 KH2PO4, 2.04 CaCl2, 0.33 Na-pyruvate, 21.4 lactic acid, 2.78 glucose, 21 HEPES, and 25 NaHCO3 adjusted between pH 7.3-7.4 with NaOH. After washing, human serum albumin (HSA, 3 mg/ml; Irvine Scientfic, USA) was added to HTF+ (referring to as HTF++). Sperm were incubated for at least 2 hr in HTF++ at 37°C in a 10% CO2 atmosphere. Under these conditions, sperm undergo capacitation. All recordings were done on capacitated sperm.

Mass spectrometry

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After purification by a ‘swim-up’ procedure, human sperm were lysed by several ‘freeze/thaw’ cycles and sonification steps in buffer containing (in mM): 10 HEPES pH 7.5, 2 EGTA, 1 DTT, protease inhibitor cocktails (Roche Applied Science and Sigma, Mannheim, Germany), and DNaseI (AppliChem, Darmstadt, Germany). Membranes were sedimented by centrifugation (100,000×g, 30 min, 4°C) and membrane proteins were processed by in-gel digestion, in-solution digestion, or a FASP protocol. Peptides were subjected to 1D-ESI-LC-MS/MS using a nanoAcquity UltraPerformance LC System (Waters, Milford, Massachusetts, USA) coupled to an LTQ Orbitrap Velos or Elite instrument (Thermo, Waltham, Massachusetts, USA). The resulting tandem MS data were searched using the Sequest algorithms embedded in Proteome Discoverer 1.2 (Thermo) against a SwissProt/UniProtKB human protein sequence database (including 56,582 entries). The mass tolerance for precursor ions was set to ≤10 ppm; the mass tolerance for fragment ions was set to ≤ 1 amu. For search result filtering, the false discovery rate (FDR) was set to < 1% and only peptides with search result rank 1 were accepted for identification. For targeted mass spectrometry, the instrument control software used a list of theoretical tryptic peptide masses for the proteins of interest for subsequent CID fragmentation, that is once a mass from the list was detected in the orbitrap full scan, it was preferred over all other co-eluting masses, independent of its signal intensity.

Antibodies

Primary antibodies: Slo3 (Abcam, Cambridge, UK, catalog no. ab104630; for ICC, 1:50,000, for WB, 1:100), HA (Roche Applied Science, catalog no. 11867431001; for ICC, 1:1,000, for WB, 1:5000). Secondary antibodies: for ICC, rabbit Cy3-conjugated and rat Cy5-conjugated antibodies (1:400; Dianova, Hamburg, Germany); for WB, rabbit-HRP and rat-HRP (1:5000; Dianova).

Preparation of recombinant constructs

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EST clone BC028701 was obtained from Open Biosystems and verified by sequencing. Based on analysis of the NCBI slo3 gene (kcnu1, NM_001031836), 62 base pairs (bp) present around the S10 region in BC028701 correspond to an intron left over from incomplete mRNA splicing. The intron sequences were removed by site-directed mutagenesis. In addition, there are at least three polymorphic sites present in the EST clone corresponding to amino-acid positions 192, 739, and 768 of hSlo3. The three sites were changed to match those of the human genomic sequence (NCBI reference sequence: NC_000008.10; Chromosome 8). This results in 192W, 739R, and 768W. The full length coding sequence of hSlo3 was subcloned into the oocyte expression vector pXMX (see details in Tang et al., 2010). The hSlo3 sequence used here is identical to that used in another study (Leonetti et al., 2012). An hLRRC52 (NM_001005214.3) clone was generated from two HEK genomic DNA fragments of 622 bp and 320 bp which correspond to hLRRC52 exons 1 and 2, respectively. The two fragments were amplified via over-lapping PCR and subcloned into the pXMX vector. For the mCherry-tagged hLRRC52, seven glycines were added as a spacer between the carboxy-terminus of hLRRC52 and the amino-terminus of mCherry; the hLRRC52-mCherry construct was also subcloned into pXMX vector. All cDNA clones were verified by sequencing. For expression in oocytes, cRNA was synthesized by SP6 polymerase after the cDNA template was linearized with the restriction enzyme MluI.

For expression in CHO cells, the full length coding sequence of hSlo3 was amplified from human testis cDNA. A perfect Kozak consensus sequence preceding the start codon and a sequence coding for a carboxy-terminal hemagglutinin tag (HA-tag) were added. The coding sequence harbored an arginine at the polymorphic site at position 768. The DNA was subcloned into a pcDNA3.1(+) vector (Invitrogen); the sequence coding for the neomycin resistance gene was replaced by the coding sequence for either citrine or EGFP. The hLRRC52-mCherry construct described above was also subcloned into the pcDNA3.1(+) vector for expression in CHO cells. All cDNA clones were verified by sequencing.

Immunocytochemistry

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Human sperm and CHO cells expressing hSlo3 were immobilized on glass coverslips and fixed for 3 min with 4% paraformaldehyde in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) containing (in mM): 137 NaCl, 2.7 KCl, 6.5 Na2HPO4, 1.5 KH2PO4, pH 7.4. To block nonspecific binding sites, cells were incubated for 20 min with blocking buffer (0.5% Triton X-100 and 5% chemiblocker (Merck Millipore, Germany) in PBS). Primary antibodies were diluted in blocking buffer and cells were incubated for 1 hr at room temperature. After washing with PBS, cells were incubated with fluorescent secondary antibodies in blocking buffer containing 0.5 µg/µl 4’,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI; Invitrogen). After washing with PBS, cells were mounted on slides and examined with a confocal microscope (FV1000; Olympus, Düsseldorf, Germany).

Protein preparation and western blot analysis

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Wild type CHO cells and cells expressing the human Slo3 channel were lysed in a buffer containing 10 mM Tris/HCl, pH 7.5, 140 mM NaCl, 1 mM EDTA, 1% Igepal CA-630, 0.5% sodium deoxycholate, 0.1% SDS, and mammalian protease inhibitor cocktail (mPIC, Sigma) and incubated on ice for 30 min. The suspension (total lysate) was centrifuged for 5 min at 10,000×g (4°C) and the supernatant was used for WB analysis. Human sperm (5 × 106) were resuspended in 2x SDS sample buffer containing β-mercaptoethanol. All samples were heated for 5 min at 95°C and separated by 4–12% SDS–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. For WB analysis, proteins were transferred onto PVDF membranes, probed with antibodies, and analysed using the LAS-3000 System (Fujifilm).

Patch-clamp recording

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We recorded from sperm in the whole-cell configuration as described (Strünker et al., 2011). Seals between pipette and sperm were formed either at the cytoplasmic droplet or the neck region in standard extracellular solution (HS) containing (in mM): 135 NaCl, 5 KCl, 1 MgSO4, 2 CaCl2, 5 glucose, 1 Na-pyruvate, 10 lactic acid, and 20 HEPES adjusted to pH 7.4 with NaOH. K-based HS contained (in mM): 135 KCl, 5 NaCl, 1 MgSO4, 2 CaCl2, 5 glucose, 1 Na-pyruvate, 10 lactic acid, and 20 HEPES adjusted to pH 7.4 with KOH. HS with low [Cl−] contained (in mM): 135 Na-aspartate, 5 KCl, 1 MgSO4, 2 CaCl2, 5 glucose, 1 Na-pyruvate, 10 lactic acid, and 20 HEPES adjusted to pH 7.4 with NaOH. The following pipette (10–15 MΩ) solutions were used (in mM): Cs-based IS: 130 Cs-asparate, 5 EGTA, 5 CsCl, and 50 HEPES at pH 7.3 with CsOH; K-based IS 0 Ca2+: 130 K-aspartate, 10 NaCl, 1 EGTA, and 50 HEPES at pH 7.3 with KOH; K-based IS with 100 µM or 1 mM Ca2+: 130 K-aspartate, 7 NaCl, 2 KCl, 100 µM or 1 mM CaCl2, and 50 HEPES at pH 7.3 with KOH; K-based IS with 40 µM Ca2+: 140 K-aspartate, 50 HEPES, 10 NaOH, 5 KCl, 3 NTA, 1.3 CaCl2, pH 7.3 with KOH; K-based IS with 10 µM Ca2+: 130 K-asparate, 10 NaOH, 1 KCl, 3 HEDTA, 2 CaCl2, and 50 HEPES at pH 7.3 with KOH. All voltages were corrected for the liquid junction potential of 16.5 mV. The osmolarity of intracellular and extracellular solutions was ∼120 mOsm.

For functional studies in Xenopus oocytes, RNAs for hSlo3 and hLRRC52 were injected at a ratio of 1:1 by weight. Gigaohm seals were formed while oocytes were bathed in frog Ringer (in mM): 115 NaCl, 2.5 KCl, 1.8 CaCl2, and 10 HEPES at pH 7.4. Pipette resistance was typically 0.8–2 MΩ after fire-polishing and filling with pipette solution containing (in mM): 140 K-methanesulfonate (MES), 20 KOH, 2 MgCl2, and 10 HEPES at pH 7. The standard solution bathing excised inside-out patches was (in mM): 140 K-MES, 20 KOH, 5 mM EGTA, and 10 HEPES with pH adjusted as indicated. For addition of Ca2+ to bathing solutions, in most cases free [Ca2+] was sufficiently high that buffering was not required (60 µM, 300 µM, 1 mM, and 10 mM). In one test solution, we omitted EGTA so that the estimated free [Ca2+] was defined presumably by the level of contaminant Ca2+ in our water (estimated to be 10–15 µM based on calibration with a Ca2+ electrode). Osmolarity for solutions was approximately 310 mOsm.

Solutions were applied directly to patches via an SF-77B fast perfusion stepper system (Warner Instruments, Hamden, CT, USA). K+ currents were recorded from inside-out patches with an Axopatch 200B amplifier (Molecular Devices, Sunnyvale, CA, USA) and low-pass filtered at 10 kHz with an integral four-pole Bessel filter. Signals were digitized with a Digidata 1322A data acquisition system (Molecular Devices) at 100 kHz. Recordings were controlled by the pClamp 9.2 software suite (Molecular Devices). Capacitative component of currents was subtracted using the appropriately scaled trace for a step from −100 mV to 0 mV. All experiments were performed at room temperature (21–24°C).

CHO cells were co-transfected with hSlo3 and hLRRC52-mCherry constructs. Seals between pipette and cell were performed in standard extracellular solution (ES) containing (in mM): 140 NaCl, 5.4 KCl, 1 MgCl2, 1.8 CaCl2, 10 D-glucose, and 5 HEPES adjusted to pH 7.4 with NaOH. For the recordings in high K+ solution, NaCl was exchanged by KCl and pH was adjusted to 7.4 with KOH. To study activation of Slo3 by alkalization, the following pipette (4–5 MΩ) solution was used (in mM): 130 K-aspartate, 10 NaCl, 1 EGTA, 5 HEPES, 15 D-glucose, pH was adjusted either to 6.2 or 7.3 using KOH. To study the activation of Slo3 by Ca2+, the following pipette (2–3 MΩ) solutions were used (in mM): divalent-free solution: 130 K-aspartate, 10 NaCl, 1 EGTA, and 20 HEPES adjusted to 7.3 using KOH; 70 µM Ca2+ intracellular solution: 130 K-aspartate, 10 NaCl, 0.5 CaCl2, 1 NTA, and 20 HEPES adjusted to pH 7.3 using KOH, the final Ca2+concentration was confirmed using the Ca2+ dye Mag-Fura 2; 1 mM Ca2+ intracellular solution: 130 K-aspartate, 10 NaCl, 1 CaCl2, and 20 HEPES adjusted to pH 7.3 using KOH. Series resistance and cell capacitance were compensated to 70–85%. Voltages were corrected for the liquid junction potential. All recordings were performed at 20–22°C.

Measurement of changes in [Ca2+]i

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Changes in [Ca2+]i were measured in 384 multi-well plates in a fluorescence plate reader (Fluostar Omega, BMG Labtech, Ortenberg, Germany) at 30°C. Sperm were loaded with the respective fluorescent Ca2+ indicator (10 μM) (Molecular Probes) in the presence of Pluronic F127 (0.1% wt/vol) for 45 min at 37°C. After incubation, excess dye was removed by a centrifugation step (700×g, 10 min, RT). The sperm pellet was resuspended in HTF++ and equilibrated for 5 min at 37°C. Each well was filled with 50 µl of the sperm suspension (1 × 107 sperm/ml); the fluorescence was excited at 480 nm and emission was recorded at 520 nm with bottom optics. Fluorescence was recorded before and after injection of 10 µl (1:6 dilution) of progesterone or ionomycin in HTF++. The solutions were injected into the wells manually with an electronic multichannel pipette.

Data analysis

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Statistical analysis and fitting of the data were performed using OriginPro 8.1 G SR3 (OriginLab Corporation, USA) or Clampfit 10.2 (Molecular Devices). All data are given as mean ± standard deviation (number of experiments).

References

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    Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 104:7688–7692.
    https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0702018104
    1. Navarro B
    2. Miki K
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    (2011) ATP-activated P2X2 current in mouse spermatozoa
    Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 108:14342–14347.
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Decision letter

  1. Richard Aldrich
    Reviewing Editor; The University of Texas at Austin, United States

eLife posts the editorial decision letter and author response on a selection of the published articles (subject to the approval of the authors). An edited version of the letter sent to the authors after peer review is shown, indicating the substantive concerns or comments; minor concerns are not usually shown. Reviewers have the opportunity to discuss the decision before the letter is sent (see review process). Similarly, the author response typically shows only responses to the major concerns raised by the reviewers.

[Editors’ note: a previous version of this study was rejected after peer review, but the authors submitted for reconsideration. The two decision letters after peer review are shown below.]

Thank you for choosing to send your work entitled “Slo3 in human sperm – a K+ channel activated by Ca2+” for consideration at eLife. Your full submission has been evaluated by a Senior editor and 3 peer reviewers, one of whom is a member of our Board of Reviewing Editors, and the decision was reached after discussions between the reviewers. We regret to inform you that your work will not be considered further for publication.

As can be seen from the enclosed reviews, there are substantial concerns about the data and conclusions, primarily concerning the sperm patch clamp data. The heterologous expression data showing calcium activation of hSlo3 are, on the other hand, convincing and quite interesting.

Reviewer 1:

The authors present compelling evidence that that Ksper current in human sperm is carried by the Slo3 potassium channel, as in mouse sperm, but the channel is gated by calcium, unlike in mouse where it is gated by protons. Heterologous expression studies confirm that human Slo3 seems to be calcium gated.

The results suggest that the Slo3 channel is gated by different ligands in different species. It is puzzling that the authors agree with the results of the Lishko lab that human Ksper is activated by calcium, but disagree as to which channel it is, as the Lishko paper argues that the mouse Ksper is in fact the (normally calcium gated) Slo1. I find no reason to doubt either study's conclusions and I expect the controversy to be settled with future work.

I believe the paper to be appropriate for publication in eLife, especially as the Lishko paper appeared there also.

Reviewer 2:

In the present manuscript, Struenker and colleagues describe functional differences between mouse and human Slo3 K+ channels expressed in spermatozoa. The authors provide experimental evidence for Slo3 expression in human spermatozoa and emphasize relevant functional differences: In contrast to mouse, hSlo3 is more sensitive to calcium than to intracellular alkalinisation. Functional hallmarks of hSlo3 as seen in sperm can be recapitulated in CHO cells expressing recombinant hSlo3 and the auxiliary subunit LRRC52. The authors put forward the proposal that during evolution the increased calcium sensitivity of hSlo2 has evolved in concert with the ligand sensitivity of human CatSper.

In principle, this is a carefully performed study that contributes to our understanding to the regulation of ion fluxes in human sperm. The major tenet of this manuscript, i.e., distinct and relevant species differences between human and mouse sperm, is about to impact the use of mouse sperm as a model system for humans.

However, mechanistically and conceptually the advances of the current manuscript are limited. The salient role of Slo3 in mouse sperm has recently been highlighted by several groups. It is well documented in the literature that mouse Slo3 is rather insensitive to calcium and that human Slo3 coexpressed with LRRC52 is less sensitive to alkaline pH as compared to mouse. The authors confirm these observation by others by direct electrophysiological recordings in human sperm. However, no information is provided on the molecular basis underlying these functional differences. Thus, the present manuscript still leaves central mechanistic questions unanswered and the paper is confirmatory to quite some extent.

Reviewer 3:

There are three major conclusions in this paper. First, the human K+ current IKsper is activated by intracellular Ca2+, rather than pH increase as previously established in mice. Second, Ca2+ increase in human sperm under “physiological” conditions (presumably through Catsper) is sufficient to activate IKsper. Third, heterologously expressed human Slo3 (hSlo3) is activated by high [Ca2+]i, but is less sensitive to pH. These findings, if confirmed, represent a major step forward in our understanding of sperm membrane potential regulation and fertilization. The third conclusion is very well supported by careful and well-controlled analysis using heterologous expression in both Xenopus oocytes and CHO cells, with or without the auxiliary subunit LRRC52. I find that the first two conclusions, though quite interesting, are not convincing at their present form.

The major data supporting the conclusion that human IKsper is potentiated by Ca2+ but not pHi is in Figures 2 & 3. In Figure 2 where the authors want to show what Ca2+, not pH, controls Vm in human sperm, two [Ca2+]i conditions are compared: 0 Ca2+ and 1 mM Ca2+. The 0 Ca2+ pipette had 1 mM EGTA with no added Ca2+, which results a free [Ca2+] of perhaps < 10 nM. The pipette solution contains no ATP or GTP. Such condition may be fine for studying the biophysical properties of a channel with voltage-clamping, but is too “unphysiological” for studying the regulation of membrane potential. It is hard to interpret the apparent lack of large effect on Vm by pHi change under this condition. The authors also cited the paper by Navarro (PNAS 104:7688-7692) to compare the difference between human and mouse sperm in the effects of pHi on Vm. However, there is large difference between the pipette solutions used in the two studies (Navarro et al. included ATP and GTP in the pipette and had apparently different free Ca2+ concentration). The authors should at least test several Ca2+ concentrations close to the physiological levels. In addition, all the pipette solutions have 50 mM HEPES. It's not clear whether 10 mM NH4Cl in the bath is able to significantly increase pHi when 50 mM HEPES is included in the pipette, and this is critical to the conclusion that pHi increase doesn't have much effect on Vm. Finally, the numbers of cells (n = 3, 4) are too small to draw statistically significant conclusions, especially when measuring Vm of primary cells.

The native IKsper's Ca2+ sensitivity is not that strong, at least not until [Ca2+]i reaches 100 μM (Figure 3I). Based on Figure 6, the authors conclude that physiologically stimulated [Ca2+] increases can reach the levels sufficient to activate IKsper. The Ca2+ measurements in Figure 6 with high concentration of progesterone (2 μM) do not have calibration (though with indicators of various Ca2+ affinity) and, more importantly, are from whole sperm. The majority of the signal is likely from sperm head where Slo3 is not localized (Figure 1H). Therefore, it's hard to make meaningful correlation between the Progesterone-induced Ca2+ increase and IKsper activation.

[Editors' note: further revisions were requested prior to acceptance, as described below.]

Brenker et al. report that the principal human K channel, like that in mouse, is encoded by Slo3. This contrasts with the recent eLife paper by Mannowetz et al. that reported that Slo1 was responsible for human KSper. Although the only definitive proof will be to identify a human male with a Slo3 mutation that affects his sperm motility (just as Lishko did for CatSper), the current Brenker data are convincing that human KSper is most likely Slo3.

Unlike mouse KSper, the principal K channel in human sperm is primarily activated by internal Ca2+, but only modestly by alkaline pH. This agrees with Mannowetz et al. The primary disparity between the papers is that Mannowetz et al found that the specific Slo1 blocker, Iberiotoxin, blocked human KSper, while Brenker et al find that it does not. The experimental solutions used in the two studies may underlie this difference.

There are many more data in the current paper characterizing human KSper and this will be of interest to the field. The work is well done and we find no fault with the data. The most interesting new data is that human Slo3 differs from mouse through the Slo3 pore-containing subunit, rather than through association with an LRRC52 accessory subunit.

The work presents another interesting example that shows that species-specific regulation might have evolved on this essential ion channel protein in sperm, analogous to the different activation mechanisms previously shown in mouse and human CatSper.

The following issues need to be addressed in the revision: 1) The authors presume that the rapid evolution of gamete genes results in gating ring mutations that confer these changes to human Slo3. It would be of interest to readers to show alignment of mouse, intervening species, and humans to narrow in on the changes most likely to mediate these properties. We do not suggest that the authors sort out the changes by mutagenesis, as this would be a separate work in itself and may take several years to complete.

2) The mass spec identification supporting the conclusion is not shown. To support the findings, indicators of merit (such as number of peptides and protein coverage etc.) for all the proteins identified and mentioned in the text should be provided as a Table in Supplementary Information.

3) Although we understand the reasons for using 1 mM Ca2+ in some internal solutions to maximize the response, many readers will question the validity of this condition, and it will likely be a source of contention. This should be at least addressed fully in the discussion. Better would be to show data at intervening 10, 30, 100 µM Ca2+. However, the reviewers are not worried by the use of 1 mM Ca2+. The inclusion of data with other concentrations is optional.

4) Introduction: Navarro et al definitively identified P2X2 channels, not P2X1, in mouse sperm through KO studies. The Brenker study does not identify the P2X channel subtype. After writing a whole paper on the mis-identification of KSper, it is not reassuring that you misidentify P2X in your own summary!

https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.01438.021

Author response

[Editors’ note: the author responses to the first round of peer review follow.]

While our manuscript was under review, a competing manuscript by Mannowetz et al. (2013) entitled “Slo1 is the principal potassium channel of human spermatozoa” appeared in eLife. Each manuscript reaches entirely different conclusions regarding the molecular identity of the K+ channel underlying IKSper current in human sperm: we conclude that it is Slo3, whereas Mannowetz et al. propose Slo1; both reports cannot be right at the same time.

The two groups agree that the primary human sperm K+ current is activated by Ca2+.

The major points of difference are: (1) we observe that the human sperm K+ current also retains some, albeit modest pH dependence, consistent with the modest pH dependence of heterologously expressed hSlo3; and (2) conflicting pharmacological and biochemical results concerning the molecular identity of the channel.

Concerning the pharmacology, we show that Slo3 inhibitors, but not Slo1 inhibitors, suppress IKSper and depolarize human sperm. In contrast, Mannowetz et al. report that Slo1 inhibitors suppress IKSper. Although we do not know the reason for this discrepancy, there are differences in experimental conditions, which we mention in the Discussion of our revised manuscript. Moreover, to ascertain that human Slo3 is insensitive to Slo1 inhibitors, we studied the action of IBTX, CTX, and paxilline on heterologous hSlo3 + LRRC52 channels, see Author response image 1 below). We find that human Slo3 is insensitive to IBTX, CTX, and paxilline. As positive control, we used the inhibition of heterologous hSlo1 by IBTX.

Author response image 1
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Relative amplitude of hSlo1 (at 80 mV) before and after superfusion with IBTX (100 nM). Relative amplitude of hSlo3 + hLRRC52 currents (at 80 mV) before and after superfusion with IBTX (100 nM), CTX (1 μM), or Paxilline (100 nM). hSlo1 and hSlo3 + hLRRC52 were expressed in CHO cells.

In our revised manuscript, we include additional data, showing that progesterone inhibits hSlo3 with a Ki of 17 μM, consistent with the inhibition of IKSper in human sperm (Mannowetz et al. 2013). We further show that Slo1 is largely insensitive to progesterone. Moreover, we show single-channel recordings from human sperm that reveal a Ca2+-activated K+ channel of ∼ 60-70 pS conductance, i.e., similar to the conductance of human Slo3, but inconsistent with a Slo1 conductance of ∼ 240 pS. These new results further strengthen our conclusion that Slo3 underlies IKSper in human sperm, but are inconsistent with Slo1 properties.

To implement the new data and to improve readability, we rearranged Figures 1-5 and we include two new Figures.

Reviewer 1:

The authors present compelling evidence that that Ksper current in human sperm is carried by the Slo3 potassium channel, as in mouse sperm, but the channel is gated by calcium, unlike in mouse where it is gated by protons. Heterologous expression studies confirm that human Slo3 seems to be calcium gated.

The results suggest that the Slo3 channel is gated by different ligands in different species. It is puzzling that the authors agree with the results of the Lishko lab that human Ksper is activated by calcium, but disagree as to which channel it is, as the Lishko paper argues that the mouse Ksper is in fact the (normally calcium gated) Slo1. I find no reason to doubt either study's conclusions and I expect the controversy to be settled with future work.

I believe the paper to be appropriate for publication in eLife, especially as the Lishko paper appeared there also.

We thank the referee for the positive comments on our manuscript.

Reviewer 2:

However, mechanistically and conceptually the advances of the current manuscript are limited. The salient role of Slo3 in mouse sperm has recently been highlighted by several groups. It is well documented in the literature that mouse Slo3 is rather insensitive to calcium and that human Slo3 coexpressed with LRRC52 is less sensitive to alkaline pH as compared to mouse. The authors confirm these observation by others by direct electrophysiological recordings in human sperm. However, no information is provided on the molecular basis underlying these functional differences. Thus, the present manuscript still leaves central mechanistic questions unanswered and the paper is confirmatory to quite some extent.

The referee’s impression seems to be that the main purpose of our manuscript was to establish that the K+ current in human sperm is regulated by pH, like mouse KSper and Slo3. If that were the case, we would certainly agree that the manuscript contributes little new information. However, the focus of the manuscript is in establishing that the human sperm K+ current is, in fact, regulated by Ca2+, with weaker regulation by pH. The prototypical Ca2+-activated and pH-activated members of this channel family are Slo1 and Slo3, respectively. Thus, the important question is whether the human sperm K+ current is carried by Slo1 or Slo3. Our results demonstrate that human IKSper current arises from Slo3 and not Slo1. Furthermore, we show that heterologously expressed human Slo3 is Ca2+ regulated. These observations are entirely new and it is surprising that two orthologous proteins, mSlo3 and hSlo3, have such different regulation by cytosolic ligands.

Identification of the site on the hSlo3 gating ring underlying regulation by Ca2+ and H+ is highly interesting, but is beyond the scope of this manuscript. However, we acknowledge that the extensive introductory paragraph on Slo gating rings in our original manuscript might have led the referee astray. Therefore, we shortened this paragraph and moved it to the Discussion.

Reviewer 3:

This referee raised several concerns about the reliability of our electrical recordings from human sperm, in particular, the activation of IKSper by Ca2+ and pHi. This is somewhat surprising given that the referee might have also seen the Mannowetz et al. manuscript; at least in the case of Ca2+, this is not a point of contention between the two groups. Moreover, by manifold controls, we scrutinized the reliability of our recordings:

  • To ascertain that the voltage-, pHi-, and Ca2+-activated currents are carried by K+ channels, we determined the reversal potential Vrev of currents at high and low [K+]o and [Cl-]o.

  • To distinguish experimentally IKSper from monovalent ICatSper, we substituted intracellular K+ by Cs+ and used 1 mM Ca2+ in the extracellular medium.

  • We show activation of IKSper by alkalization both by superfusion with NH4Cl and by using different pH values in the pipette. We studied IKsper at low and high [Ca2+]i in one and the same cell by photorelease of Ca2+ from caged Ca2+, while monitoring [Ca2+]i with a fluorescent indicator.

  • Ca2+ activation of IKSper was studied at 6 different intracellular Ca2+ concentrations, ranging from 2.5 to 1000 μM.

  • pHi- and Ca2+ activation of IKSper was confirmed by current-clamp experiments.

  • We tested Slo1 inhibitors both in voltage- and current clamp.

  • We tested Slo3 inhibitors both in voltage- and current clamp.

  • We studied both Slo1 and Slo3 expression in human sperm by targeted mass spectrometry.

  • Finally, heterologous expression of Slo3 in both oocytes and CHO cells corroborated our electrophysiological and pharmacological conclusions drawn from sperm recordings.

Altogether, the identification of the hSlo3 protein in human sperm by two independent techniques, the pharmacological fingerprint of human IKSper and hSlo3, and the Ca2+-activation of heterologous hSlo3 both in oocytes and CHO cells provide compelling support for our conclusion that the Ca2+-activated IKSper in human sperm arises from hSlo3, but not Slo1.

There are three major conclusions in this paper. First, the human K+ current IKsper is activated by intracellular Ca2+, rather than pH increase as previously established in mice. Second, Ca2+ increase in human sperm under “physiological” conditions (presumably through Catsper) is sufficient to activate IKsper. Third, heterologously expressed human Slo3 (hSlo3) is activated by high [Ca2+]i, but is less sensitive to pH. These findings, if confirmed, represent a major step forward in our understanding of sperm membrane potential regulation and fertilization. The third conclusion is very well supported by careful and well-controlled analysis using heterologous expression in both Xenopus oocytes and CHO cells, with or without the auxiliary subunit LRRC52. I find that the first two conclusions, though quite interesting, are not convincing at their present form.

We provide plenty of experimental evidence that Ca2+ activates IKSper (see our general comment above). Therefore, we disagree with this statement. The issue concerning the activation of IKSper by physiological Ca2+ concentrations is addressed in more detail below.

The major data supporting the conclusion that human IKsper is potentiated by Ca2+ but not pHi is in Figures 2 & 3.

There seems to be a misunderstanding. We do not claim that human IKSper is exclusively controlled by Ca2+. In fact, we show that at pipette pH 6.2, alkalization by NH4Cl enhances currents by about 2-fold. Similarly, increasing pipette pH from 6.2 to 7.3 enhances human IKSper by about 2-fold.

In Figure 2 where the authors want to show what Ca2+, not pH, controls Vm in human sperm, two [Ca2+]i conditions are compared: 0 Ca2+ and 1 mM Ca2+. The 0 Ca2+ pipette had 1 mM EGTA with no added Ca2+, which results a free [Ca2+] of perhaps < 10 nM. The pipette solution contains no ATP or GTP. Such condition may be fine for studying the biophysical properties of a channel with voltage-clamping, but is too “unphysiological” for studying the regulation of membrane potential. It is hard to interpret the apparent lack of large effect on Vm by pHi change under this condition. The authors also cited the paper by Navarro (PNAS 104:7688-7692) to compare the difference between human and mouse sperm in the effects of pHi on Vm. However, there is large difference between the pipette solutions used in the two studies (Navarro et al. included ATP and GTP in the pipette and had apparently different free Ca2+ concentration). The authors should at least test several Ca2+ concentrations close to the physiological levels.

Both Ca2+ and pH do affect human IKSper and alkalization does hyperpolarize sperm; yet, Ca2+ evokes a more pronounced hyperpolarization. To make comparison of current-clamp and voltage-clamp experiments meaningful, we used the same intracellular solution (without ATP/GTP) throughout the manuscript. Of note, Mannowetz et al. used a similar intracellular solution (also without ATP/GTP) to study human IKSper. Under these conditions, our current clamp and voltage-clamp data are consistent, e.g., we observe modest pHi control, but stronger Ca2+ control of IKSper and Vm. Current-clamp experiments are always to a certain degree nonphysiological, no matter whether intracellular ATP/GTP is present or not: the cell’s cytoplasm is exchanged by artificial intracellular solutions and, moreover, experiments are hampered by the high input resistance of sperm (discussed in Zheng et al. 2013, JGP). Therefore, we have tempered our assertions that Ca2+ rather than pHi controls Vm of human sperm to our recording conditions. Moreover, we now include a paragraph in the discussion stating that it will be an interesting question for future work to determine the relative contributions of cytosolic pH and [Ca2+] to the regulation of human sperm function.

In the current-clamp experiments, we used a pipette [Ca2+] of either a few nanomolar or 1 mM to study the action of Ca2+. As requested, we now include current clamp data at 1, 30, and 70 μM Ca2+, showing that the effect of 1 μM Ca2+ is miniscule, whereas 30 μM evokes a sizeable hyperpolarization that saturates at ≤ 70 μM. Thus, the concentration dependence of Ca2+ action is similar in current- and voltage-clamp experiments.

In addition, all the pipette solutions have 50 mM HEPES. It's not clear whether 10 mM NH4Cl in the bath is able to significantly increase pHi when 50 mM HEPES is included in the pipette, and this is critical to the conclusion that pHi increase doesn't have much effect on Vm.

In fact, 10 mM NH4Cl increases pHi by about 1 unit under the conditions used (see response to Reviewer 2). The modest action of NH4Cl on IKSper and Vm is consistent with the modest changes of IKSper and Vm observed when the pipette pH was changed from pH 6.2 to 7.3. Moreover, at 50 mM intracellular HEPES, we routinely observe NH4Cl-induced CatSper activation (see for example Strünker et al. 2011, Brenker et. al. 2012). Altogether, these results show unequivocally that the modest action of pHi on IKSper and Vm is not due to the specifics of our experimental conditions.

Finally, the numbers of cells (n = 3,4) are too small to draw statistically significant conclusions, especially when measuring Vm of primary cells.

We take issue with this comment. First, the small s.d. shows that the Vm values are highly reproducible. Second, the current-clamp and voltage-clamp results are consistent with each other in all aspects. Third, we tackled each issue by at least 2 different experimental approaches, e.g., we study Ca2+ activation of IKSper by both photorelease of Ca2+ and at different Ca2+ concentrations in the pipette; we examine pHi activation of IKSper by both superfusion with NH4Cl and by different pipette pH; we study the pharmacology of Slo3 and Slo1 inhibitors in voltage- and current clamp; we study Slo3 currents both in oocytes and CHO cells. These different approaches all lead to the same conclusions. Finally, we note that for most experiments n≥4.

The native IKsper's Ca2+ sensitivity is not that strong, at least not until [Ca2+]i reaches 100 μM (Figure 3I). Based on Figure 6, the authors conclude that physiologically stimulated [Ca2+] increases can reach the levels sufficient to activate IKsper. The Ca2+ measurements in Figure 6 with high concentration of progesterone (2 μM) do not have calibration (though with indicators of various Ca2+ affinity) and, more importantly, are from whole sperm. The majority of the signal is likely from sperm head where Slo3 is not localized (Figure 1H). Therefore, it's hard to make meaningful correlation between the Progesterone-induced Ca2+ increase and IKsper activation.

Figure 3 (now also Figure 2) and Figure 6 (former Figure 5, heterologous expression of Slo3) show that [Ca2+] (not 100 μM as this referee states) enhances both IKSper and hSlo3 currents. We agree with the referee on potential limitations of the Ca2+ indicator experiments in terms of defining absolute concentrations. However, although Figure 8 (the former Figure 6) does not show calibrated changes in [Ca2+]i, it clearly argues (in particular the responses recorded with the low-affinity indicator Fluo-5N, Kd = 90 μM) that [Ca2+]i increases globally μM. In fact, it has been shown that progesterone-induced Ca2+ signals originate in the flagellum and propagate in a tail-to-head direction (Servin-Vences et al., 2013, Reproduction). Therefore, the local [Ca2+] in the flagellum is predicted to be even higher than in the head. However, we state now in the text that the interplay between CatSper and Slo3 requires further experimentation.

[Editors' note: further revisions were requested prior to acceptance, as described below.]

Unlike mouse KSper, the principal K channel in human sperm is primarily activated by internal Ca2+, but only modestly by alkaline pH. This agrees with Mannowetz et al.

We trust that the reviewer means that both studies show that human sperm K+ current is activated by Ca2+. The two papers reach different conclusions regarding the role of alkaline pH. Mannowetz et al. claim that human IKSper is completely insensitive to pHi, whereas we and a recent paper by Mansell et al. (Mol. Hum. Reprod. 2014) find that human IKSper is enhanced by alkalization.

The primary disparity between the papers is that Mannowetz et al found that the specific Slo1 blocker, Iberiotoxin, blocked human KSper, while Brenker et al find that it does not. The experimental solutions used in the two studies may underlie this difference.

Although the pharmacological differences between the two studies remain difficult to explain, we note that the intracellular and extracellular [Ca2+] used in the pharmacological experiments differ. Overall, our pharmacological profile is consistent with the biochemical evidence for Slo3, the single-channel fingerprint, and the progesterone sensitivity of human IKSper.

The following issues need to be addressed in the revision:

1) The authors presume that the rapid evolution of gamete genes results in gating ring mutations that confer these changes to human Slo3. It would be of interest to readers to show alignment of mouse, intervening species, and humans to narrow in on the changes most likely to mediate these properties. We do not suggest that the authors sort out the changes by mutagenesis, as this would be a separate work in itself and may take several years to complete.

We include the requested alignment. Unfortunately, the alignment does not provide insights regarding the molecular determinants underlying the different ligand sensitivities of human versus mouse Slo3. Except for the Ca2+ bowl residues, the determinants of the RCK1 high- affinity site and the lower-affinity site involve multiple residues scattered throughout RCK1. For lower-affinity sites, recognition of any “site” by sequence gazing would be remarkable.

2) The mass spec identification supporting the conclusion is not shown. To support the findings, indicators of merit (such as number of peptides and protein coverage etc.) for all the proteins identified and mentioned in the text should be provided as a Table in Supplementary Information.

We now include a Supplementary file with all indicators of merit for the mass spectrometric results

3) Although we understand the reasons for using 1 mM Ca2+ in some internal solutions to maximize the response, many readers will question the validity of this condition, and it will likely be a source of contention. This should be at least addressed fully in the discussion. Better would be to show data at intervening 10, 30, 100 µM Ca2+. However, the reviewers are not worried by the use of 1 mM Ca2+. The inclusion of data with other concentrations is optional.

Please note that, in Figure 2, we do, in fact, show current clamp data for 1, 30, 70, and 1,000 µM [Ca2+]i. In Figure 3 and Figure 3–figure supplement C, we show I-V curves for IKSper at 2.5, 10, 40, 100, and 1,000 µM [Ca2+]i. Moreover, in Figure 3, we show original current traces at 0, 40, and 1,000 µM [Ca2+]i. We feel this data should address the concerns of the reviewer.

There are three experiments where only 1 mM [Ca2+]i was used:

  • 1) to study the pharmacology of IKSper,

  • 2) to show that at high [Ca2+]i, Vm is independent of [Cl-]o,

  • 3) to show that at high [Ca2+]i, IKSper is still potentiated by alkalization.

For experiment 1, we provide the rationale for using 1 mM [Ca2+]i in the results section and in the discussion. For experiments 2 and 3, it is also advisable if not required to use high [Ca2+]i. Accordingly, we do not expect the high concentrations a potential source of contention. Therefore, we prefer to leave the Discussion as it is.

4) Introduction: Navarro et al definitively identified P2X2 channels, not P2X1, in mouse sperm through KO studies. The Brenker study does not identify the P2X channel subtype. After writing a whole paper on the mis-identification of KSper, it is not reassuring that you misidentify P2X in your own summary!

Although we assume that the reviewer made this comment in jest, our work was not about mis-identification of KSper, but simply reports our experiments showing that human KSper is regulated by both cytosolic calcium and alkalization, and that properties of heterologously expressed hSlo3 are consistent with human KSper. Moreover, we thank the referee pointing out the typo regarding P2X channels; we have made some clarifying changes to the respective sentence: “purinergic P2X channels are functional in mouse (Navarro et al., 2011), but not in human sperm (Brenker et al., 2012)”.

https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.01438.022

Article and author information

Author details

  1. Christoph Brenker

    Department of Molecular Sensory Systems, Center of Advanced European Studies and Research, Bonn, Germany
    Contribution
    CB, Conception and design, Acquisition of data, Analysis and interpretation of data, Drafting or revising the article
    Competing interests
    The authors declare that no competing interests exist.

  2. Yu Zhou

    Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, United States
    Contribution
    ZY, Acquisition of data, Analysis and interpretation of data, Drafting or revising the article
    Competing interests
    The authors declare that no competing interests exist.

  3. Astrid Müller

    Department of Molecular Sensory Systems, Center of Advanced European Studies and Research, Bonn, Germany
    Contribution
    AM, Acquisition of data, Analysis and interpretation of data, Drafting or revising the article
    Competing interests
    The authors declare that no competing interests exist.

  4. Fabio Andres Echeverry

    Department of Molecular Sensory Systems, Center of Advanced European Studies and Research, Bonn, Germany
    Contribution
    FAE, Acquisition of data, Analysis and interpretation of data, Drafting or revising the article
    Competing interests
    The authors declare that no competing interests exist.

  5. Christian Trötschel

    Lehrstuhl Biochemie der Pflanzen, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bochum, Germany
    Contribution
    CT, Acquisition of data, Analysis and interpretation of data, Drafting or revising the article
    Competing interests
    The authors declare that no competing interests exist.

  6. Ansgar Poetsch

    Lehrstuhl Biochemie der Pflanzen, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bochum, Germany
    Contribution
    AP, Acquisition of data, Analysis and interpretation of data, Drafting or revising the article
    Competing interests
    The authors declare that no competing interests exist.

  7. Xiao-Ming Xia

    Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, United States
    Contribution
    XX-M, Drafting or revising the article, Contributed unpublished essential data or reagents
    Competing interests
    The authors declare that no competing interests exist.

  8. Wolfgang Bönigk

    Department of Molecular Sensory Systems, Center of Advanced European Studies and Research, Bonn, Germany
    Contribution
    WB, Acquisition of data, Analysis and interpretation of data, Drafting or revising the article
    Competing interests
    The authors declare that no competing interests exist.

  9. Christopher J Lingle

    Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, United States
    Contribution
    CJL, Acquisition of data, Analysis and interpretation of data, Drafting or revising the article
    For correspondence
    clingle@morpheus.wustl.edu
    Competing interests
    The authors declare that no competing interests exist.

  10. U Benjamin Kaupp

    Department of Molecular Sensory Systems, Center of Advanced European Studies and Research, Bonn, Germany
    Contribution
    UBK, Analysis and interpretation of data, Drafting or revising the article
    Competing interests
    The authors declare that no competing interests exist.

  11. Timo Strünker

    Department of Molecular Sensory Systems, Center of Advanced European Studies and Research, Bonn, Germany
    Contribution
    TS, Conception and design, Acquisition of data, Analysis and interpretation of data, Drafting or revising the article
    For correspondence
    timo.struenker@caesar.de
    Competing interests
    The authors declare that no competing interests exist.

Funding

German Research Foundation (SFB645)

  • Astrid Müller
  • U Benjamin Kaupp
  • Timo Strünker

National Institutes of Health (GM066215; GM081748)

  • Christopher J Lingle

The funders had no role in study design, data collection and interpretation, or the decision to submit the work for publication.

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the German Research Foundation (SFB645) and National Institutes of Health (GM066215 and GM081748 to CJL). We thank Heike Krause for preparing the manuscript. We thank Yuriy Kirichok and Polina Lishko for introducing Christoph Brenker into patch-clamp recordings from sperm.

Reviewing Editor

  1. Richard Aldrich, The University of Texas at Austin, United States

Publication history

  1. Received: August 28, 2013
  2. Accepted: February 21, 2014
  3. Version of Record published: March 26, 2014 (version 1)

Copyright

© 2014, Brenker et al.

This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use and redistribution provided that the original author and source are credited.

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  1. Christoph Brenker
  2. Yu Zhou
  3. Astrid Müller
  4. Fabio Andres Echeverry
  5. Christian Trötschel
  6. Ansgar Poetsch
  7. Xiao-Ming Xia
  8. Wolfgang Bönigk
  9. Christopher J Lingle
  10. U Benjamin Kaupp
  11. Timo Strünker
(2014)
The Ca2+-activated K+ current of human sperm is mediated by Slo3
eLife 3:e01438.
https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.01438

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    Maura Greiser, Mariusz Karbowski ... Liron Boyman
    Research Article

    Mitochondrial ATP production in cardiac ventricular myocytes must be continually adjusted to rapidly replenish the ATP consumed by the working heart. Two systems are known to be critical in this regulation: mitochondrial matrix Ca2+ ([Ca2+]m) and blood flow that is tuned by local ventricular myocyte metabolic signaling. However, these two regulatory systems do not fully account for the physiological range of ATP consumption observed. We report here on the identity, location, and signaling cascade of a third regulatory system -- CO2/bicarbonate. CO2 is generated in the mitochondrial matrix as a metabolic waste product of the oxidation of nutrients that powers ATP production. It is a lipid soluble gas that rapidly permeates the inner mitochondrial membrane (IMM) and produces bicarbonate (HCO3-) in a reaction accelerated by carbonic anhydrase (CA). The bicarbonate level is tracked physiologically by a bicarbonate-activated adenylyl cyclase, soluble adenylyl cyclase (sAC). Using structural Airyscan super-resolution imaging and functional measurements we find that sAC is primarily inside the mitochondria of ventricular myocytes where it generates cAMP when activated by HCO3-. Our data strongly suggest that ATP production in these mitochondria is regulated by this cAMP signaling cascade operating within the inter-membrane space (IMS) by activating local EPAC1 (Exchange Protein directly Activated by cAMP) which turns on Rap1 (Ras-related protein 1). Thus, mitochondrial ATP production is shown to be increased by bicarbonate-triggered sAC signaling through Rap1. Additional evidence is presented indicating that the cAMP signaling itself does not occur directly in the matrix. We also show that this third signaling process involving bicarbonate and sAC activates the cardiac mitochondrial ATP production machinery by working independently of, yet in conjunction with, [Ca2+]m-dependent ATP production to meet the energy needs of cellular activity in both health and disease. We propose that the bicarbonate and calcium signaling arms function in a resonant or complementary manner to match mitochondrial ATP production to the full range of energy consumption in cardiac ventricular myocytes in health and disease.

    1. Biochemistry and Chemical Biology
    2. Structural Biology and Molecular Biophysics

    Drug Discovery: Decoding the mechanisms of allostery

    Saif Khan, Cornelius Gati
    Insight

    A complex interplay between structure, conformational dynamics and pharmacology defines distant regulation of G protein-coupled receptors.