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The Fungal Sexual Pheromone Sirenin Activates the Human CatSper Channel Complex
Shameem Sultana Syeda1, Erick J Carlson1, Melissa R Miller2,3
1Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Institute for Therapeutics Discovery and Development, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota , Minneapolis, Minnesota 55414, United States.
Researchers synthesized the fungal sex pheromone sirenin and demonstrated its ability to activate the CatSper channel in human sperm. This finding opens avenues for developing novel male contraceptives targeting sperm function.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Reproductive Biology
- Chemical Synthesis
Background:
- The fungus *Allomyces macrogynus* utilizes the sex pheromone sirenin for male gamete chemotaxis.
- Sirenin induces a calcium influx in motile gametes, potentially involving the cation channel of sperm (CatSper) complex.
Purpose of the Study:
- To achieve the total synthesis of sirenin.
- To investigate sirenin's effect on the CatSper channel in human sperm.
Main Methods:
- Total synthesis of sirenin in 10 steps with an 8% overall yield.
- Assessing intracellular calcium increase in human sperm using sirenin.
- Confirming sirenin's action on the CatSper channel via whole-cell patch clamp electrophysiology.
Main Results:
- Successful total synthesis of sirenin.
- Synthetic sirenin activates the CatSper channel in a concentration-dependent manner, increasing intracellular calcium in human sperm.
- Electrophysiological confirmation of sirenin-mediated CatSper channel activation.
Conclusions:
- The developed synthetic route for sirenin is efficient.
- Sirenin is a direct activator of the CatSper channel.
- Sirenin analogues could be developed as potential male contraceptive agents by blocking CatSper function.
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