Koerschen, H. G. | bioRxiv Science

bioRxiv2024

Deciphering rapid cell signaling and control of cell motility by reverse opto-chemical engineering

Cells transform complex environmental stimuli into physiological responses. For time-varying stimuli or motile cells, the perception of the environment depends on the temporal stimulus pattern and cell motion, respectively. Here we report a concept, "reverse optochemical engineering" (ROCE), that uses temporal light patterns and photo-triggers to expose cells to virtual sensory landscapes while recording in real time their physiological responses and motor behavior. We studied cyclic-nucleotide signaling in cell lines, sperm, olfactory neurons, and cardiomyocytes. The technique can be employed for remote control of motility by light. We reprogrammed sperm from a chemotactic to a phototactic cell that is attracted towards light. The method provides new opportunities to decipher the mechanisms and signaling molecules underlying rapid cellular computations, and thus reveal the wire diagram of cellular networks.

biophysics↗

bioRxiv2021

External fertilization is orchestrated by a pH-regulated soluble adenylyl cyclase controlling sperm motility and chemotaxis

The reaction of CO2 with H2O to form HCO3- and H+ is one of the most important chemical equilibria in cells. In mammalian sperm, a soluble adenylyl cyclase (sAC) serves as cellular HCO3- sensor that conveys the equilibrium state via cAMP synthesis to cAMP-signaling molecules. The function of sAC and cAMP in non-mammalian sperm is largely unknown. Here, we identify sAC orthologs in sea urchin and salmon sperm that, surprisingly, are activated by alkaline pH rather than HCO3-. Two amino-acid residues required for HCO3- binding of mammalian sAC are lacking in pH-regulated sAC. Orthologs identified in ten other phyla are also lacking either one of these key residues, suggesting that pH control is widespread among non-mammalian metazoan. The pH-sensitive sAC controls several functions of sperm from external fertilizers. Upon spawning, alkalization triggers cAMP synthesis and, thereby, activates motility of quiescent sperm. Egg-derived chemoattractants also alkalize sperm and elevate cAMP, which then-modulates pacemaker HCN channels to trigger a chemotactic Ca2+ response. Finally, the sAC and the voltage- and cAMP-activated Na+/H+ exchanger sNHE mutually control each other. A picture of evolutionary significance is emerging: motility and sensory signaling of sperm from both internal and external fertilizers rely on cAMP, yet, their sAC is regulated by HCO3- or pHi, respectively. Acidification of aquatic habitats due to climate change may adversely affect pH-sensing by sAC and thereby sexual reproduction in the sea. Statement of significanceAdenylyl cyclases synthesize cAMP, a prominent cellular messenger. A bicarbonate-sensitive AC family member, soluble AC (sAC), is tied to the chemical equilibrium: H2O + CO2 {leftrightarrow} HCO3- (bicarbonate) + H+. The sAC is required for fertilization: Mammals lacking sAC are infertile and sperm immotile. We now identify a new sAC form in sperm of non-mammalian animals that reproduce in the sea. This novel sAC is activated at alkaline pH rather than bicarbonate. It controls sperm motility and chemotaxis. The switch from HCO3- to pH rests on substitution of two amino-acids, which represents an adaptation to aquatic environments low in bicarbonate. Acidification of aquatic habitats due to climate change may adversely affect sAC activity and, thereby, fertilization.

biophysics↗