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ATP Driven Pumps II: P-type Pumps

ATP Driven Pumps II: P-type Pumps

The P-type pumps are a large family of integral membrane transporter ATPases. They are divided into five major types based on substrate specificity, from I to V.
A typical P-type pump has three cytosolic domains: nucleotide-binding (N), phosphorylation (P), and activator (A) domains. These domains are connected to the membrane-spanning helices by short amino acid segments. ATP hydrolysis and covalent phosphoenzyme intermediate formation are crucial parts of the catalytic cycle. At the highly...

ATP Driven Pumps I: An Overview

ATP Driven Pumps I: An Overview

ATP-driven pumps, also known as transport ATPases, are integral membrane proteins. They have binding sites for ATP located on the membrane's cytosolic side and the ion-conducting domain in the transmembrane region. These pumps use the free energy released from ATP hydrolysis to move the solutes across cell membranes against an electrochemical gradient.
There are four main types of ATP-driven pumps - P-type, V-type, F-type, and ABC transporter. All these pumps are of varying complexities and are...

Sperm Transport

Sperm Transport

The journey of sperm from its origin to the point of ejaculation begins within the seminiferous tubules of the testis. Here, Sertoli cells produce fluid that propels non-motile sperm through a series of conduits, starting with the straight tubules leading to the rete testis. This interconnected network of tubules acts as the initial pathway for sperm, guiding them into the efferent ductules and then into the epididymis for maturation.
The maturation phase occurs in the epididymis, where sperm...

ATP Driven Pumps III: V-type Pumps

ATP Driven Pumps III: V-type Pumps

V-type pumps are ATP-driven pumps found in the vacuolar membranes of plants, yeast, endosomal and lysosomal membranes of animal cells, plasma membranes of a few specialized eukaryotic cells, and some prokaryotes. They are also known as the V1Vo-ATPase, that couple ATP hydrolysis to transport protons against a concentration gradient.
The peripheral or cytosolic V1 domain with eight subunits is involved in ATP hydrolysis. The integral or transmembrane V0 domain containing at least five subunits...

The ADP/ATP Carrier Protein

The ADP/ATP Carrier Protein

ADP/ATP carrier or AAC protein is the most abundant carrier protein in the inner mitochondrial membrane. It transports large quantities of ADP and ATP, equivalent to the average human body weight, every day. Among other transporters, ACC protein is one of the best-studied members of the mitochondrial carrier protein family. The ADP/ATP carrier protein comprises two transmembrane helices connected to a loop and a single alpha-helix on the matrix side. It switches between two conformational...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 30, 2026

Using an Extracellular Flux Analyzer to Measure Changes in Glycolysis and Oxidative Phosphorylation during Mouse Sperm Capacitation

Using an Extracellular Flux Analyzer to Measure Changes in Glycolysis and Oxidative Phosphorylation during Mouse Sperm Capacitation

Published on: January 22, 2020

ATP-activated P2X2 current in mouse spermatozoa.

Betsy Navarro¹, Kiyoshi Miki, David E Clapham

¹Department of Cardiology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Manton Center for Orphan Disease, Children's Hospital Boston, Boston, MA 02115, USA.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America

|August 12, 2011

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Mouse sperm use the P2X2 receptor to respond to external ATP, which influences their fertility over time. This finding reveals a new mechanism for sperm function and male fertility.

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Real-Time Imaging of Acrosomal Calcium Dynamics and Exocytosis in Live Mouse Sperm

Real-Time Imaging of Acrosomal Calcium Dynamics and Exocytosis in Live Mouse Sperm

Published on: October 13, 2023

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 30, 2026

Using an Extracellular Flux Analyzer to Measure Changes in Glycolysis and Oxidative Phosphorylation during Mouse Sperm Capacitation

Using an Extracellular Flux Analyzer to Measure Changes in Glycolysis and Oxidative Phosphorylation during Mouse Sperm Capacitation

Published on: January 22, 2020

Real-Time Imaging of Acrosomal Calcium Dynamics and Exocytosis in Live Mouse Sperm

Real-Time Imaging of Acrosomal Calcium Dynamics and Exocytosis in Live Mouse Sperm

Published on: October 13, 2023

Area of Science:

Reproductive Biology
Ion Channel Physiology
Molecular Pharmacology

Background:

Sperm hyperactivated motility is crucial for fertilization, requiring calcium (Ca2+) influx via CatSper channels.
Sperm motility is modulated by membrane potential, influenced by potassium (K+) channels like Slo3.
Previously, functional neurotransmitter receptors were not identified in mature sperm.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate potential transmitter-mediated ion channel currents in mouse spermatozoa.
To identify the specific molecular mechanisms underlying ATP-induced currents in sperm.
To determine the role of the identified ATP-gated channel in sperm function and male fertility.

Main Methods:

Screening of neurotransmitters and biomolecules for ion channel activation in whole spermatozoa.
Electrophysiological recordings to detect and characterize ion currents.
Genetic analysis using P2X2 receptor knockout mice (P2rx2(-/-)).
Assessment of sperm motility, hyperactivation, acrosome reaction, and male fertility.

Main Results:

Mouse spermatozoa exhibit an ATP-activated, cation-nonselective current in the midpiece.
This ATP-dependent current is absent in P2rx2(-/-) mice, indicating mediation by the P2X2 receptor.
The current displays biophysical and pharmacological properties consistent with heterologously expressed P2X2.
P2rx2(-/-) spermatozoa show normal motility and acrosome reaction but reduced fertility with prolonged mating.

Conclusions:

The P2X2 purinergic receptor/channel mediates the ATP-induced current in mouse spermatozoa.
While not essential for basic sperm functions, P2X2 receptor enhances male fertility under specific conditions.
The P2X2 receptor likely provides a selective advantage for fertility during frequent mating.