Cytochalasin D restores nuclear size acting on F-actin and IZUMO1 localization in low-quality spermatozoa

• Published in: International journal of biological sciences Vol. 19; no. 7; pp. 2234 - 2255
• Main Authors: Martinez, Guillaume, Cappetta, Donato, Telesca, Marialucia, Urbanek, Konrad, Castaldo, Giuseppe, Dhellemmes, Magali, Mele, Vincenza Grazia, Chioccarelli, Teresa, Porreca, Veronica, Barbotin, Anne-Laure, Boursier, Angèle, Guillou, Florian, Coutton, Charles, Brouillet, Sophie, De Angelis, Antonella, Berrino, Liberato, Pierantoni, Riccardo, Cobellis, Gilda, Chianese, Rosanna, Manfrevola, Francesco
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Australia Ivyspring International Publisher 01.01.2023
• Subjects: Actins - metabolism; Biochemistry, Molecular Biology; Cytochalasin D - analysis; Cytochalasin D - metabolism; Cytochalasin D - pharmacology; Humans; Immunoglobulins - metabolism; Life Sciences; Male; Membrane Proteins - metabolism; Research Paper; Semen - metabolism; Spermatozoa - metabolism; F-actin; chromosomes territories; IZUMO1; histone acetylation; sperm quality
• ISSN: 1449-2288; 1449-2288
• DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.77166

In spermatozoa, the nuclear F-actin supports the acroplaxome, a subacrosomal structure involved in the correct exposure of several acrosomal membrane proteins; among them, the glycoprotein IZUMO1 is the major protein involved in sperm-oocyte fusion. Nuclear F-actin is also involved in sperm head shaping and chromosome compartmentalization. To date, few notions regarding the bivalent role of F-actin on sperm chromatin organization and IZUMO1 positioning have been reported. In our work, we characterized subcellular organization of F-actin in human high- and low-quality spermatozoa (A- and B-SPZ), respectively, showing that F-actin over-expression in sperm head of B-SPZ affected IZUMO1 localization. A correct IZUMO1 repositioning following in induction of F-actin depolymerization, by cytochalasin D treatment, occurred. Interestingly, F-actin depolymerization was also associated with a correct acrosome repositioning, thus to favor a proper acrosome reaction onset, with changes in sperm nuclear size parameters and histone acetylation rate reaching high-quality conditions. In conclusion, the current work shows a key role of F-actin in the control of IZUMO1 localization as well as chromatin remodeling and acetylation events.