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Na, K-ATPase α4: An Isoform Dedicated to Sperm Function

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Regulation of Membrane Na+-K+ ATPase

Part of the book series: Advances in Biochemistry in Health and Disease ((ABHD,volume 15))

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Abstract

Several proteins that play essential roles in the cell exist in multiple different molecular forms. This variability in structure often results in the production of isoforms with properties that are distinct from those of the original protein. The discovery and study of isoforms represents one of the most fascinating areas in biology, since it has uncovered the elaborate mechanisms that cells have developed to fulfill specific tasks. One protein system characterized by a high molecular heterogeneity is the Na-K-ATPase, the ion transport mechanism that maintains the transmembrane Na+ and K+ concentrations across the plasma membrane of cells. Na, K-ATPase results from the association of different molecular isoforms of an α- and a β-subunit. One of the Na, K-ATPase α polypeptides, α4, is solely produced in male germ cells of the testis, where it serves an important role in sperm function. This review discusses the particular expression, functional properties, regulation, mechanism of action, and role of Na-K-ATPase α4 in the context of the physiology of the male gamete. The current experimental evidence shows that the appearance of α4 during evolution is not a redundant event but rather a sophisticated mechanism to adapt Na+ and K+ active transport to the requirements of sperm, which carry the amazing mission of swimming relatively long distances to find and fertilize the egg.

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Acknowledgements

This work has been supported by National Institutes of Health grant U01 HD080423.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA

    Gladis Sánchez & Gustavo Blanco

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  1. Gladis Sánchez
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  2. Gustavo Blanco
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Correspondence to Gustavo Blanco .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Kalyani, Kalyani, West Bengal, India

    Sajal Chakraborti

  2. University of Manitoba, Institute of Cardiovascular Science St. Boniface Hospital Research, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

    Naranjan S Dhalla

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Sánchez, G., Blanco, G. (2016). Na, K-ATPase α4: An Isoform Dedicated to Sperm Function. In: Chakraborti, S., Dhalla, N. (eds) Regulation of Membrane Na+-K+ ATPase. Advances in Biochemistry in Health and Disease, vol 15. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-24750-2_5

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