ACE2 Receptor and Its Isoform Short-ACE2 Are Expressed on Human Spermatozoa

Marina Ramal-Sanchez; Chiara Castellini; Costanza Cimini; Angela Taraschi; Luca Valbonetti; Arcangelo Barbonetti; Nicola Bernabò; Barbara Barboni

doi:10.3390/ijms23073694

International Journal of Molecular Sciences (Mar 2022)

ACE2 Receptor and Its Isoform Short-ACE2 Are Expressed on Human Spermatozoa

Marina Ramal-Sanchez,
Chiara Castellini,
Costanza Cimini,
Angela Taraschi,
Luca Valbonetti,
Arcangelo Barbonetti,
Nicola Bernabò,
Barbara Barboni

Affiliations

Marina Ramal-Sanchez: Faculty of Biosciences and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy
Chiara Castellini: Andrology Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
Costanza Cimini: Faculty of Biosciences and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy
Angela Taraschi: Faculty of Biosciences and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy
Luca Valbonetti: Faculty of Biosciences and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy
Arcangelo Barbonetti: Andrology Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
Nicola Bernabò: Faculty of Biosciences and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy
Barbara Barboni: Faculty of Biosciences and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23073694
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 23, no. 7
p. 3694

Abstract

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Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is a protein widely expressed in numerous cell types, with different biological roles mainly related to the renin-angiotensin system. Recently, ACE2 has been in the spotlight due to its involvement in the SARS-CoV-2 entry into cells. There are no data available regarding the expression of ACE2 and its short-ACE2 isoform at the protein level on human spermatozoa. Here, protein expression was demonstrated by western blot and the percentage of sperm displaying surface ACE2 was assessed by flow cytometry. Immunocytochemistry assays showed that full-length ACE2 was mainly expressed in sperm midpiece, while short ACE2 was preferentially distributed on the equatorial and post-acrosomal region of the sperm head. To our knowledge, this is the first study demonstrating the expression of protein ACE2 on spermatozoa. Further studies are warranted to determine the role of ACE2 isoforms in male reproduction.

Published in International Journal of Molecular Sciences

ISSN: 1661-6596 (Print); 1422-0067 (Online)
Publisher: MDPI AG
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Science: Biology (General); Science: Chemistry
Website: http://www.mdpi.com/journal/ijms

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