Serine/threonine phosphorylation associated with hamster sperm hyperactivation

Background and Aims: Mammalian sperm activation and hyperactivation is regulated by protein phosphorylation. Although tyrosine phosphorylation is considered very important, several studies have investigated whether serine and threonine phosphorylation are also associated with sperm activation and hyperactivation, and that was also the aim of the present study. Methods: Protein phosphorylation of hamster spermatozoa was detected by Western blotting using antiphospho-amino acid monoclonal antibodies after tricine sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Amino acid sequences were analyzed using a peptide sequencer. Results: Four proteins were phosphorylated at serine residues during hyperactivation via activation and their approximate molecular weights were 90, 38, 32 and 10 kDa, respectively. Five proteins were phosphorylated or dephosphorylated at threonine residues and their approximate molecular weights were 90, 70, 65, 35 and 10 kDa, respectively. The 10-kDa protein corresponded to a previously reported 10-kDa tyrosine phosphoprotein. N-terminal sequences of the 10-kDa protein were similar to carcinustatin, which is a neuropeptide. Conclusions: During hyperactivation, four serine phosphorylation and five threonine phospho- or dephosphorylations occurred, which suggested that the 10-kDa protein was phosphorylated at tyrosine residues when spermatozoa were activated and then dual-phosphorylated at the serine and threonine residues during hyperactivation. (Reprod Med Biol 2004; 3: 223-230).