Sperm's secret voltage switch (IMAGE)

Stockholm University

Sperm's secret voltage switch

Caption

Chemo-attractant binding to sperm causes a change in voltage, which activates the transporter SLC9C1. The structure of SLC9C1 is here described for the first time. Once activated the SLC9C1 protein exchanges Na+ for H+ ions and this makes the sperm flagellum more alkaline and, together with cAMP, leads to the opening of Ca2+-channels that results in a directed movement of the sperm. This sequence of events, present in species as distant as corals and human, are essential for fertilization.

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Illustration by Ved Mehta/Stockholm University.

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