• PMID: 20036903
• Gene Name: SLC9B1
• Condition: Associated with sperm motility and fertility
• Association: Associated
• Sex: Male
• Infertility type: Male infertility
• Other associated phenotypes: Associated with sperm motility and fertility

A novel testis-specific Na+/H+ exchanger is involved in sperm motility and fertility

Liu T, Huang JC, Zuo WL, Lu CL, Chen M, Zhang XS, Li YC, Cai H, Zhou WL, Hu ZY, Gao F, Liu YX.

Sodium-hydrogen exchanger as a channel for regulation of intracellular pH might be a crucial modulator of sperm capacitation and motility. Three members of this family have been identified in spermatozoa. A novel protein testis-specific sodium-hydrogen exchanger named mtsNHE was cloned in the present study. The mtsNHE localizing on principle piece of sperm flagellum contained 12 predicted transmembrane regions without cytoplasmic fragment at carboxyl terminus. Hydrophilic region was common in the sodium-hydrogen exchanger family members. Polyclonal antibodies to trans-membrane region significantly reduced sperm motility, acrosome reaction and ratio of in vitro fertilization. By in-pouring the antibodies in sperm solution, intracellular pH and calcium concentration were decreased. Muscle injection of female mice with the specific gene vaccine of mtsNHE, significantly stepped down fertility rate. Considering its specific expression and involvement in the regulation of fertility, the mtsNHE might be a potential target molecule for developing a new male contraceptive. FAU - Liu, Tao AU - Liu T AD - State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China. FAU - Huang, Jun-Cheng AU - Huang JC FAU - Zuo, Wu-Lin AU - Zuo WL FAU - Lu, Cui-Ling AU - Lu CL FAU - Chen, Min AU - Chen M FAU - Zhang, Xue-Sen AU - Zhang XS FAU - Li, Yi-Chuan AU - Li YC FAU - Cai, Huan AU - Cai H FAU - Zhou, Wen-Liang AU - Zhou WL FAU - Hu, Zhao-Yuan AU - Hu ZY FAU - Gao, Fei AU - Gao F