Phosphoproteome Analysis of Sperm during Capacitation and Modulations of Chinese Medicines

Sperm capacitation is an important process for sperm to become ready and possess the functions to fertilize the egg. This proposal is to identify the distinct expressions of sperm phosphoproteins responded to capacitation process induced by bovine serum albumin or glucose supplementations. The mechanisms of various signal transduction pathways for tyrosine phosphorylation at different timing will be studied. The essential phosphorylated proteins associated with various parameters of sperm motility especially for the glucose-accelerated or prolonged motility will be determined. The protein-protein interactions for those targeted tyrosine phosphorylations occurred in the capacitated mouse sperm will be proposed. The physiological bioinformation for capacitation will be documented for screening the effects of herbal medicines. Five Seeds Combo (wu zi yan zong wan) is a traditional Chinese herbal formula used for infertility and is composed of five component herbs: Fructus Lycii (Lvcium barbarum or L. chinense) Semen Cuscutae (Cuscuta chinensis), Fructus Rubi (Rubus chingii), Semen Plantaginis (Plantago asiatica or P. depressa) and Fructus Schisandrae (Schisandra chinensis). Betaine is one of major components in Fructus Lycii (Goji). Therefore, the effectiveness of betaine and polysaccharides will be determined for mouse sperm motility. The glycolipids or the other ingredients present in the fractions from the crude extracts of wu zi yan zong wan will be further tested for their activity towards capacitation induction. The pharmacological mechanisms will be approached by phosphoproteomic analysis.