bioRxiv Science⌕ Search
Home/Archive/bioRxiv

bioRxiv · 10.1101/2025.02.14.638303

The sperm specific Na+,K+-ATPase α4 shows a highly structured and dynamic distribution at the sperm flagellum

Oishee, M. J.·McDermott, J. P.·Sanchez, G.·Blanco, G.
View original source ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

Na+,K+-ATPase 4 is a unique cell plasma membrane Na+ and K+ transporter of spermatozoa, which is essential for male fertility. Previous studies have shown that Na+,K+-ATPase 4 is highly expressed in the sperm flagellum; however, the spatial arrangement of Na+,K+-ATPase 4 at the subcellular level and its relationship to the functional state of the cells are unknown. We studied this here using stimulated emission depletion (STED) super-resolution microscopy. We show that, under non-capacitated conditions, Na+,K+-ATPase 4 is distributed in a trilinear pattern along the midpiece and as a scattered single line along the principal piece segment of the sperm flagellum. Under capacitated conditions, Na+,K+-ATPase 4 pattern undergoes remodelling and its distribution shifts into a single line along the entire length of the flagellum. On the other hand, Na+,K+-ATPase 1 the somatic isoform of Na+,K+-ATPase also present in sperm, exhibits a similar trilaminar localization at the flagellar midpiece but a bilinear pattern in the principal piece. This distribution, unlike that of Na+,K+-ATPase 4, does not change during sperm capacitation. These differences in the localization pattern and spatial dynamics of Na+,K+- ATPase isoform expression highlights the dissimilarities in the roles of both ion transporters. The specific modulation of Na+,K+-ATPase 4 distribution, combined with the unique role that it has in sperm function, stresses the importance of Na+,K+-ATPase 4 for male fertility. Significance statementThis is the first demonstration of the highly structured nature of Na+,K+-ATPase in the plasma membrane of sperm, including the sperm specific Na+,K+-ATPase 4 isoform, which is key for male fertility, and the somatic Na+,K+-ATPase 1, which is present in all cells. Utilizing stimulated emission depletion (STED) super resolution microscopy, we discovered that Na+,K+- ATPase 4 and Na+,K+-ATPase 1 have different distributions along the sperm flagellum. Moreover, only Na+,K+-ATPase 4 undergoes remodelling during sperm capacitation. These specific patterns of localization that are dependent on the sperm functional state in combination with the different function and regulation of Na+,K+-ATPase isoforms highlights the sophisticated mechanisms that cells have evolved to fulfil their unique function.

Explore related subjects

cell biologyPreprint

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

Oishee, M. J., McDermott, J. P., Sanchez, G., Blanco, G.. 2025-02-16. The sperm specific Na+,K+-ATPase α4 shows a highly structured and dynamic distribution at the sperm flagellum. https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.02.14.638303

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related preprints

bioRxiv2026

Functional characterization of Rho GTPase activating proteins SYDE1 and SYDE2

The human genome encodes more than 60 proteins containing Rho GTPase activating protein (RhoGAP) domains, many of which remain understudied with respect to their target specificity and biological roles. SYDE1 and SYDE2 are two such orphan RhoGAPs, for which there are few studies characterizing their biochemical and cellular functions and conflicting reports identifying their cognate GTPases. We previously identified SYDE1 and SYDE2 in a screen for substrates of the c-Jun N-terminal kinases. Here, we show that SYDE1 and SYDE2 are preferentially phosphorylated by JNK1 relative to other mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) at sites proximal to a kinase docking region. Purified SYDE1 and SYDE2 are shown to have significant catalytic GAP activity toward RhoA, Rac1, and Cdc42. However, neither up- nor down-regulation of SYDE1/2 expression leads to detectable changes in bulk GTP loading of any of these GTPases. Nevertheless, we demonstrate that SYDE1 and SYDE2, in a partially GAP-dependent manner, increase cell spreading and number of focal adhesions, and promote more directionally persistent migration in HEK293 cells. Together, these findings establish SYDE1 and SYDE2 as robust JNK substrates with catalytic activity toward a set of Rho GTPases and reveal basic functions of SYDE1 and SYDE2 in regulating cell morphology, adhesion, and migration.

cell biology↗
bioRxiv2026

The filopodial scaffold polyphosphate dictates cell adhesion-versus-invasion decisions

Inorganic polyphosphate (polyP) is an ancient polymer conserved across all life, serving cell type and location specific functions in every major compartment. Yet its role at the plasma membrane, where it accumulates to peak levels in many primary cells, is largely unknown. Here we identify polyP as a stabilizing component of filopodia, actin based membrane protrusions that govern cell adhesion, contact inhibition, and chemotaxis. Elevating cellular polyP increases filopodial stability and enhances cell adhesion, whereas reducing polyP accelerates filopodial disassembly and promotes cell migration. Mechanistically, we find that polyP acts as a structural filopodial scaffold, recruiting and organizing IRSp53, a membrane curvature inducing protein. We show that metastatic fibroblasts and breast cancer organoids carry markedly reduced and intracellularly reorganized polyP levels relative to their non transformed counterparts. Restoring endogenous polyP via lipid nanoparticle delivery suppresses their invasive phenotypes and reverses prometastatic gene expression signatures, implicating polyP as a primordial tumor suppressor.

cell biology↗
bioRxiv2026

Mitochondrial transfer mediates metabolic communication between beta cells and islet macrophages

Pancreatic islet macrophages support islet homeostasis and adapt their metabolic program in response to environmental cues, including beta cell released factors. Intercellular mitochondrial transfer is a biological process that modulates cellular responses. To test whether beta cells, which are strongly secretory, transfer mitochondria to islet macrophages, we generated mice with beta cell-specific expression of mitochondrial GFP (PhAMfloxIns1Cre). We demonstrate that beta cells transfer mitochondria to islet macrophages in vivo and in vitro. Diabetogenic stressors did not alter the frequency of mitochondrial transfer and macrophages containing beta cell-derived GFP exhibit increased protein synthesis rates. RNA-seq identified upregulation of activity-regulated cytoskeleton associated protein (Arc) in macrophages receiving beta cell-derived mitochondria, while disruption of actin cytoskeleton dynamics prevented mitochondrial transfer. Together, these findings identify mitochondrial transfer as a previously unrecognized mechanism of beta cell-macrophage communication that may contribute to islet homeostasis and immune regulation.

cell biology↗