The Role of CatSper1 and CatSper2 Ion Channels in Male Fertility and Infertility

Ion channels in human body play multiple roles in many important biological processes. They regulate sperm maturation in the female reproductive tract and facilitates in hyperactivated motility, maturity through capacitation and acrosome reaction. The four sperm-associated cation channel, known as CatSpers and different ligand gated and voltage gated ion channels have been found to play crucial role for sperm physiology preparation for fertilization. The major function for maintaining Ca2+ concentration in flagellum is governed by CatSper channels in plasma membrane. Until now the role of these channels are not very clear. Here we have analysed the PDB structure (generated so far) of CatSper1 and CatSper2 channel proteins and found their ligand binding sites. The calculations are done by Charmm potential. Energies are calculated before and after ligand binding. We have also carried out Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulation for the protein model after filling up the simulation box with water and a number of K+ and Cl− ions. We see that the opening and closing of the channel pores depend on the binding of ligands.