The human voltage-gated proton channel (hHv1) maintains intracellular pH and membrane potential in sperm and neutrophils. Here, the authors show that albumin activates hHv1, by binding to the channel voltage sensor domains to enhance open probability and increases proton current, and that activation is required to trigger sperm to allow oocyte fertilization and to sustain production and release of immune inflammatory mediators during the neutrophil respiratory burst.
- Ruiming Zhao
- Hui Dai
- Steve A. N. Goldstein