Zinc is a Key Regulator of the Sperm-Specific K + Channel (Slo3) Function

Abstract The voltage- and pH-gated Slo3 potassium channel is exclusively expressed in mammalian spermatozoa. Its sensitivity to both voltage and alkalization plays a crucial role in sperm fertility, which is tightly coupled to the capacitation process. Here we show that sperm-enriched divalent cation Zn2+ undergoes dynamic alteration in spermatozoa during capacitation. We also found that intracellular Zn2+ regulates alkalinization-induced hyperpolarization in mouse spermatozoa which is mediated by Slo3 channel. Further examination of zinc regulation in mouse Slo3 (mSlo3) revealed that, in Xenopus oocyte expression system, intracellular zinc directly inhibits mouse Slo3 currents in dose-dependent manner at micromolar concentrations, with exceptionally slow dissociation. By combining MD simulations and electrophysiology, we also identified amino acid residues contributing to the Zn2+ slow dissociation from Slo3 channels. Our studies uncover the importance of intracellular zinc dynamics and its regulatory role in ion channels during sperm capacitation. Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. Footnotes -Control experiments in non-capacitated conditions. -Increased statistical rigor in figure analyses. -More detailed experiments to confirm specificity of zinc action on Slo3. -Expanded discussion of zinc's role beyond Slo3, including CatSper regulation. -The authors should measure these effects in sperm cells using the patch-clamp technique to directly record Slo3 currents. By normalizing Slo3 currents to cell capacitance at different intracellular zinc concentrations, the authors can quantitatively assess the extent of Slo3 inhibition by zinc and strengthen the physiological relevance of their findings.