The galectin-1-glycan axis controls sperm fertilizing capacity by regulating sperm motility and membrane hyperpolarization

VASEN G; BATTISTONE MA; DIEGO O. CROCI; BRUCKMAN NG; WEIGE MUÑOZ, M; STUPIRSKI JC; GABRIEL A. RABINOVICH; CUASNICU P S

FASEB JOURNAL

FEDERATION AMER SOC EXP BIOL

Lugar: Bethesda; Año: 2015

0892-6638

Lectin-glycan recognition systems play centralroles in many physiologic and pathologic processes. Here, we identified a rolefor galectin-1 (Gal-1), a highly conserved glycan-binding protein, in thecontrol of sperm function. We found that Gal-1 is expressed in the epididymisand associates with sperm during epididymal maturation. Exposure of sperm toGal-1 resulted in glycan-dependent modulation of the acrosome reaction (AR), akey event in the fertilization process. Gal-1-deficient (Lgals1-/-)mice revealed the essential contribution of this lectin for full spermfertilizing ability both in vitro andin vivo. Mechanistically, Lgals1-/-sperm exhibited defects in their ability to develop hyperactivation, a vigorousmotility required for penetration of the egg vestments.  Moreover, Lgals1-/- spermshowed a decreased ability to control cell volume and to undergo progesterone-inducedAR, phenotypes that were rescued by exposure of the cells to recombinant Gal-1.Interestingly, the AR defect was associated with a deficiency in sperm membranepotential hyperpolarization. Our study highlights the relevance of theGal-1-glycan axis in sperm function with critical implications in mammalianreproductive biology.