2025-09-17 熊本大学
図 2.本研究成果の概要。精子表面に存在する GALNTL5 と、UTJ や卵透明帯に存在する糖鎖 中のN -ア セチルガ ラクト サミン(GalNAc)との相互作用を通して、精子は UTJ に結合・通過(A)および透明帯に結合(B)できます。
<関連情報>
- https://www.kumamoto-u.ac.jp/whatsnew/seimei-sentankenkyu/20250916
- https://www.kumamoto-u.ac.jp/daigakujouhou/kouhou/pressrelease/2025_file/release20250916-2.pdf
- https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-63805-4
GALNTL5はGalNAcに結合し、子宮卵管接合部通過および精子-透明帯結合に必須である GALNTL5 binds GalNAc and is required for migration through the uterotubal junction and sperm-zona pellucida binding
Taichi Noda,Reika Uriu,Daisuke Mashiko,Hina Shinohara,Yongcun Qu,Ayumu Taira,Ryan M. Matzuk,Duri Tahala,Motochika Nakano,Kimi Araki,Zhifeng Yu,Ying Zhang,Martin M. Matzuk & Masahito Ikawa
Nature Communications Published:17 September 2025
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-63805-4
Abstract
More than 20 genes expressed in the male reproductive tract have been identified as essential factors for sperm migration to and through the utero-tubal junction (UTJ), and they are divided into ADAM3-dependent and ADAM3-independent pathways. In parallel, sperm having UTJ migration defects also show impaired binding to the zona pellucida (ZP). Herein, we demonstrate that knockout of Galntl5, encoding a sperm surface protein, causes impaired sperm binding with the UTJ and ZP, and null males have severe infertility. GALNTL5 appreciably disappears in sperm lacking Adam3 or Lypd4, required for ADAM3-dependent and ADAM3-independent pathways, and GALNTL5 binds to N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) distributed on the UTJ and ZP. Blockage of GalNAc decreases the number of sperm binding to the UTJ and ZP. Thus, we unveil that GALNTL5 is a responsible factor for UTJ migration and sperm-ZP binding, and that sperm bind to the UTJ and ZP through interaction of GALNTL5 and GalNAc.
