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Fig. 8 | Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology

Fig. 8

From: Cordycepin improves hyperactivation and acrosome reaction through adenosine receptors during human sperm capacitation in vitro

Fig. 8

Schematic representation of the mechanisms of cordycepin regulating human sperm capacitation. (A) Chemical structure of adenosine. (B) Chemical structure of cordycepin. (C) Four subtypes of adenosine receptors (AdoRs) are expressed in human sperm. Cordycepin can bind to AdoRs and open downstream G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling pathways. A2a and A2b AdoRs couple with stimulatory Gs and activate the cyclic adenosine monophosphate/protein kinase A (cAMP/PKA) signaling pathway. A1 and A3 AdoRs coupled with inhibitory Gi, decreasing the level of cAMP and inhibiting PKA activity. A1 or A3 AdoRs also bind to Gq and Gα and activate the protein kinase C (PKC) signaling pathways. Finally, PKA and PKC indirectly cause sperm protein tyrosine phosphorylation and promote human sperm capacitation

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Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology

ISSN: 1477-7827

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