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For the first clip , researchers have unraveled the structure of a protein that enables sperm to float .
The protein sits in the cell membrane of sperm cell and helps transport positively charge sodium andhydrogenions in and out of the cell . This is an important function for regulating the cadre ’s pH , table salt content and volume , helping keep it active and healthy .
A protein called SLC9C1 helps the sperm of many different animals — including humans — swim.
" We know that this protein is essential for sperm motility and thus manlike fertility , from study ranging from sea urchin up to mouse and human,“Christina Paulino , a structural biologist at Heidelberg University Biochemistry Center in Germany , told Live Science .
However , the protein functions differently in different brute , previous research has shown . Paulino conducted most of the raw research while at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands , focusing on the protein in ocean urchins . The datum on these maritime critters wo n’t right away interpret into drug development for human fertility or parturition control . But the research could point to how sperm borrow tricks from other cellphone to build its own unique proteins .
The field was published Wednesday ( Oct. 25 ) in the journalNature .
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The protein , called SLC9C1 , has a weird mix - and - match structure , a 2018 paperrevealed .
" It combines mechanistic ' accomplishment ' not meet before , " Paulino said . The protein consists of a segment that senses the potential drop across a cell ’s membrane , a segment that respond to lilliputian molecular messengers called cyclic AMP , and a component that does the genuine ion interchange . The structure is a chip like aLEGO creation , Paulino said : The different part are known from other proteins but have n’t been seen in this combination .
Paulino and her team used a technique telephone cryo - electron microscopy to study the protein . In this proficiency , samples are cooled to below minus 243.4 degree Fahrenheit ( minus 153 degrees Celsius ) , and a electron beam of electron draw through them to make mellow - resolution persona of the protein ’s complex twist and turns .
In sea urchins , the protein makes the inside of sperm cells more alkaline , imply basic or less acidic , by swap sodium ions and proton in and out of the cell , the team found . variety in the electric potential of the cell membrane initiation this transference — a method never before watch in this particular type of tissue layer transport protein .
" This is remarkable , as the transporter has adopted or hijacked another building block usually only chance in another class of membrane car transporter , namely ion channels , " Paulino said .
Researchers are interested in the potential part of SLC9C1 in male infertility , Paulino said . The fact that the protein is sperm cell - specific means it could be a target for male birth dominance , as any pharmaceutic that would interrupt the protein likely would n’t affect other cell in the soundbox .
However , there ’s a big leap between realize the introductory function of SLC9C1 in sea urchin and using that information to make grow theelusive goal of pharmaceutic nativity ascendency for piece , saidBenjamin Kaupp , a biophysical druggist at the University of Bonn and the Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences who was not involved in the new study .
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Recent work published in the journalNature Communicationsby Kaupp and his team found that — unlike in ocean urchin cells — human SLC9C1 is not activate into action by the potential drop of the jail cell membrane . It ’s not clear what ensure the human version of the protein , or even if the human rendering transfers Na ion and protons , as the ocean urchin protein does .
" The question that is now unresolved is what is this particle doing in mammalian sperm in world-wide , or in human sperm in picky , " Kaupp tell Live Science . " Is it a Na proton exchanger ? Or does it transport something else ? And if it ’s a atomic number 11 proton money changer , what is its departure to the sea urchin ? "
