Epididymal epithelial cells facilitate NEU1 loading to modulate sperm α-2,6 sialylation, enhance maturation and motility
This study identifies NEU1 as a key regulatory enzyme on the sperm surface, directly influencing sperm motility and fertilization capacity. NEU1 is secreted by epididymal epithelial cells and transferred onto sperm, mediating sialylation modifications and regulating sperm capacitation and metabolic processes. These findings provide novel insights into the functional role of sialidases in sperm maturation and function, offering potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility.
Authors
- Linyu Zhang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0907-675X)
- Shiqi Yi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4174-2329)
- Yingchun Hu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2741-4110)
- Shukai Wang
- Fang Ma (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7781-821X)
- R Wang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8963-1105)
- Xin Sun (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6554-7088)
- Hongxiang Wang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4839-3985)
- Jiajie Li (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4851-3457)
- Xin Yuan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8907-3123)
- Shujuan Zou
Institutions
- Peking University (CN)
- Sichuan University (CN)
- Renji Hospital (CN)
- West China Second University Hospital of Sichuan University (CN)
- West China Hospital of Sichuan University (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences
- Published
- 2025-12-02
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s00018-025-05909-0
- Primary Topic
- Sperm and Testicular Function
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00