• PMID: 30553232
• Gene Name: FLT3
• Condition: Male infertility
• Association: Associated
• Sex: Male
• Infertility type: Male infertility
• Other associated phenotypes: Male infertility

Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 is a key factor of male fertility

Kwon WS, Kim YJ, Ryu DY, Kwon KJ, Song WH, Rahman MS, Pang MG.

Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) is a type III kinase that is highly expressed in seminal plasma of infertile men. FLT3 activation can be blocked by inhibition of its phosphorylation using the nontoxic and selective inhibitor, quizartinib. We investigated the function of FLT3 and the corresponding effects of quizartinib in mouse spermatozoa. Spermatozoa were treated with different concentrations (0.1, 1, 10, 20, and 30 μM) of quizartinib for 90 min at 37 °C in 5% CO(2) in air. FLT3 was detected in capacitated and non-capacitated spermatozoa. While the level of FLT3 was unaffected, the levels of phospho-FLT3 were significantly altered in spermatozoa by quizartinib. Exposure of spermatozoa to higher concentrations of quizartinib significantly altered sperm viability, motility, motion kinematics, levels of intracellular ATP, and capacitation status. Fertilization and early embryonic development were suppressed by quizartinib. This may have occurred as a consequence of decreased protein kinase A (PKA) activity and tyrosine phosphorylation. The inhibition of FLT3 by quizartinib may affect the fertilization and embryonic development by reducing tyrosine phosphorylation through a PKA-dependent pathway. Our data implicate FLT3 as a biomarker for diagnosis and prognosis of male fertility. In addition, quizartinib has potential for development as a new contraceptive agent. CI - Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. FAU - Kwon, Woo-Sung AU - Kwon WS AD - Department of Animal Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Sangju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, 37224, Republic of Korea. FAU - Kim, Ye-Ji AU - Kim YJ AD - Department of Animal Science & Technology, Chung-Ang University, Anseong, Gyeonggi-Do, 17546, Republic of Korea. FAU - Ryu, Do-Yeal AU - Ryu DY AD - Department of Animal Science & Technology, Chung-Ang University, Anseong, Gyeonggi-Do, 17546, Republic of Korea. FAU - Kwon, Ki-Jin AU - Kwon KJ AD - Department of Animal Science & Technology, Chung-Ang University, Anseong, Gyeonggi-Do, 17546, Republic of Korea. FAU - Song, Won-Hee AU - Song WH AD - Department of Animal Science & Technology, Chung-Ang University, Anseong, Gyeonggi-Do, 17546, Republic of Korea. FAU - Rahman, Md Saidur AU - Rahman MS AD - Department of Animal Science & Technology, Chung-Ang University, Anseong, Gyeonggi-Do, 17546, Republic of Korea.